Benefit season

The cricket benefit season is a tradition of giving a rewarding gift to long-serving players. It began in 19th-century English county cricket as a means of financing aging professional players, often without the means to support themselves in retirement, as they neared the end of their careers. Today, in the era of the cricketer earning big bucks, the benefit season is still going — with a rumble of voices saying it should be chucked out the door.

What Is the Benefit Season?

In the 19th century, professional cricketers found it financially difficult to continue playing into their 30s, largely due to the limited number of matches and modest pay. To help, counties organized “benefit seasons” to raise money for players. Originally, funds were collected through match receipts. Today, fundraising involves charity events such as auctions, dinners with celebrities, and other special occasions. These events may be held either throughout the year or concentrated during the summer, which is typically considered the benefit season.

Crucially, each club is limited to just one player deriving any benefit per season. This rule is put in place to reduce within team conflict and keep things fair.

To be fair, some players and some clubs do receive private funding of a similar nature from external organisations. The benefit season was established and is administered by the House of Lords and the funds awarded to players are tax free. At the same time, payments did not always go smoothly. However, the process hasn’t always been smooth. In 1920, for instance, James Seymour — an American cricketer — faced legal trouble when the U.S. tax authorities questioned his benefit payments. The investigation lasted until 1926 before being resolved in Seymour’s favor.

To get the benefit season, the player does not have to sign contracts with the House of Lords in advance. This helps ensure objectivity in the decision-making process. Theoretically, a player can get a benefit season for the second time only after 10 years. There was one such case in the history of the charity organization. Graham Gooch, who played for the Essex club, received cash assistance in 1985 and 1995.

Criticism of the Benefit Season

In the 21st century, cricketers playing at the club level in England earn at least several tens of thousands of pounds per month, with some surpassing £300,000 annually. The leaders of club cricket in England end their careers as millionaires. They earn money for matches held in clubs, participation in major international tournaments and promotional events.

Critics argue that continuing to grant benefit seasons to already well-paid professionals is outdated. They suggest these funds could be better used elsewhere. Supporters of the tradition, however, argue that long-standing systems and promises should be honored. They believe that if the system exists, then the previously laid down conditions must be observed in it. And if you cancel the benefit season, then English cricket will lose about £2 million a year in annual aid.

At the same time, some players prefer not to play for one club throughout their career, hoping for a benefit season. Cricketers move to other teams, improve their level and earn more money in the course of their career. This mobility allows them to save independently for retirement, or to position themselves for post-career opportunities — such as coaching roles with top clubs or national teams.