Bevan calls for cash and power

The Professional Cricketers' Association are demanding more influence in running the game and a greater share of its profits. These twin ambitions – effectively an announcement of player power – will change forever the traditional relationship with administrators and could radically alter the way the sport is governed at first-class level.

Members of the PCA (every county cricketer) want the body to have an official voice on the First Class Forum with voting powers, which would make them the 19th county. They are also seeking a portion of the annual contribution which the England and Wales Cricket Board pay to county clubs.

Whatever the ECB's views, the counties may not be eager to embrace the PCA. Some of them, indeed, wanted to cut the PCA's present income after the players made their feelings clear on playing in Zimbabwe last February. But more authority for players seems as natural as it is perhaps inevitable.

"Over the course of the next year we want to have a greater say in shaping events," said Richard Bevan, the PCA's new chief executive. Bevan, whose duties have increased since taking over from David Graveney, is aware of the opposition and was especially seething about comments made on the Somerset website by the county's chief executive, Peter Anderson, who criticised the PCA's reluctance to support two overseas players per club.

Anderson said he was amazed by the PCA's reaction. "First, what has it got to do with them who we employ, and second, it's no wonder that the England side falter when the going gets tough if the county pros don't want to play against the best." It is also believed that Anderson suggested to a recent meeting of the First Class Forum that counties hire no more than 15 professionals each.

Bevan said: "It is about time that some counties stopped their bluster and realised the nature of the PCA's involvement. Players are sacked at the age of 33 or 34 and nothing has been done about insurance or education. We at the PCA are doing that. As for what it's got to do with us, we can show them when it comes to the change in image rights and how players can use them individually."

But Bevan, who has a reputation for being reluctant to compromise, is also optimistic. He said that much work had been done in publicising the game. "That has happened as a result of work between the ECB and Team England," he said.

The players are not immediately demanding a 19th share of the ECB annual handout, but a contribution towards plans for education programmes for players. "We must look forward and ensure that all stakeholders are involved in consultations in future," said Bevan. By stakeholders he meant players.