In order to be eligible for government funding through the Sports Council, cricket needed an independent governing body and the representatives from the TCCB, together with representatives from MCC and the National Cricket Association (NCA), formed a new Cricket Council, initially known as the MCC Council. The TCCB assumed responsibility for all county cricket and the England team at home and abroad, although England touring teams continued under the name MCC until the 1976–77 season.
To obtain government assistance from the Sports Council, cricket required an independent governing body. Representatives of the TCCB, along with those from MCC and the National Cricket Association (NCA), established a new Cricket Council, initially named the MCC Council. The TCCB managed all county cricket matches and the England team both domestically and internationally, although touring teams continued to be known as MCC until 1976–77.