The company, PCA Management Ltd, have already launched several fund-raising activities, including hospitality packages, and their own logo. The England and Wales Cricket Board, not famous for their reticence in marketing affairs, will presumably be keeping a wary eye on anything they believe likely to threaten their own interests, which now extend beyond the professional game to all domestic cricket.

Their management board may also have to consider again whether this further increases the potential conflict of interests faced by Graveney in his additional role as chairman of selectors. The ECB effectively employ the players through the medium of the counties and give the PCA an annual grant, which retains for the board a certain leverage.

The former presiding authority, the TCCB, always resisted attempts by the players to go too far, rejecting their argument, for example, that they should receive a cut of television fees.

The players do not see their move as being confrontational, rather as a means of becoming independently funded and, like the Professional Footballers' Association, of raising revenue for the benefit of members needing financial or legal advice, health care and other support during and after their careers.

Among the aims is to increase insurance cover for players retiring early through injury from an average of £25,000 to £100,000.