This ICC that is concerned about the possibility of franchise cricket cannibalising test cricket....that won't be the same ICC who recently were thinking about having a franchise world cup, administered by them, which would take a further month out of the international calendar--would it? No, silly me, of course not--that must have been the International Criminal Court.
I'm sorry if I sound cynical, but I think most top international players have said resoundingly already that they prefer T20 franchise cricket to tests. They haven't expressed it verbally--indeed they may have mouthed what are usually rather hypocritical platitudes that suggest the opposite--but it's clear from their actions. The ones that haven't are almost always the ones who aren't getting offered big money by franchises anyway. And I know the money is what people call head-turning--but anyone centrally contracted even for a year or two is already vastly better remunerated than the vast majority of workers in the countries they represent, and in some countries they earn literally more in a year than I'm going to earn in my lifetime coming from the same country. So I'm somewhat sceptical that they "need" the money...
But like you, I know which side I stand on, regardless of who agrees with me!
I can relate to your cynicism, Sid, but the 'best' players really do still prefer Test cricket - if their bodies can stand up to the challenge. It's the short-term money that persuades them to choose between the two. Nicholas Pooran is a bit of an outlier amongst players who are/were good enough to play Test cricket. He had a serious motor accident very early in his career and was basically left to fend for himself. Trinidad and the WICB had neither the funds nor, apparently, inclination to look after him so he came to the conclusion that he has man-alone and would have to look after himself. I would suggest that a significant majority of younger players who favour T20 cricket do so because, deep down, they know that are either not good enough to succeed in Test cricket - or aren't prepared to put in the work required to succeed. But as I said, I fully understand you perspective...
I have to admit, it really can be a bit hard to keep up or maintain any sort of excitement with this revolving kaleidoscope situation of revolving franchise leagues and players. It's not just the players who might be in danger of losing focus here...
My view, now, is that we don't need to 'keep up' with what is purely 'content'. It's just 'stuff' to keep us mildly entertained. For those who find it entertaining. As a lifelong freelancer battling along to make living out of the game I always thought it was a crucial part of my job to 'keep up' with what's happening. But when administrators refer to 'putting content' into different markets to 'maximise revenue', I realised there wasn't much point. It's not really necessary,is it? If I miss some 'content' today, or this week, there'll be more tomorrow and next week.
Actually, that's a very good point! I haven't quite thought about it that that way:) Too true…even this language they use is devaluing what's happening on the field:)
I guess by waiting until December they will have plenty of time to find where the Renegades players went after the team was, sort of, abolished only a month or two ago. And time to recruit new players, staff, admin if they can't find where they went to spend their redundancy payments....
Played in Chennai. I suppose though it is a true neutral venue. Will the crowd be Indians with a heavy expat Australian contribution ? Will it televised world wide with an AI crowd background ?
You can never have enough content in order to return never enough money.
Dear Leigh, if a non-Ashes Test between England and Australia was ever played in India (and it would have to be non-Ashes because neither country would agree to a match with Ashes status) then there would be NO crowd. Every single Indian friend and colleague I have spoken to agrees that the idea is absurd...!
This ICC that is concerned about the possibility of franchise cricket cannibalising test cricket....that won't be the same ICC who recently were thinking about having a franchise world cup, administered by them, which would take a further month out of the international calendar--would it? No, silly me, of course not--that must have been the International Criminal Court.
I'm sorry if I sound cynical, but I think most top international players have said resoundingly already that they prefer T20 franchise cricket to tests. They haven't expressed it verbally--indeed they may have mouthed what are usually rather hypocritical platitudes that suggest the opposite--but it's clear from their actions. The ones that haven't are almost always the ones who aren't getting offered big money by franchises anyway. And I know the money is what people call head-turning--but anyone centrally contracted even for a year or two is already vastly better remunerated than the vast majority of workers in the countries they represent, and in some countries they earn literally more in a year than I'm going to earn in my lifetime coming from the same country. So I'm somewhat sceptical that they "need" the money...
But like you, I know which side I stand on, regardless of who agrees with me!
I can relate to your cynicism, Sid, but the 'best' players really do still prefer Test cricket - if their bodies can stand up to the challenge. It's the short-term money that persuades them to choose between the two. Nicholas Pooran is a bit of an outlier amongst players who are/were good enough to play Test cricket. He had a serious motor accident very early in his career and was basically left to fend for himself. Trinidad and the WICB had neither the funds nor, apparently, inclination to look after him so he came to the conclusion that he has man-alone and would have to look after himself. I would suggest that a significant majority of younger players who favour T20 cricket do so because, deep down, they know that are either not good enough to succeed in Test cricket - or aren't prepared to put in the work required to succeed. But as I said, I fully understand you perspective...
I have to admit, it really can be a bit hard to keep up or maintain any sort of excitement with this revolving kaleidoscope situation of revolving franchise leagues and players. It's not just the players who might be in danger of losing focus here...
My view, now, is that we don't need to 'keep up' with what is purely 'content'. It's just 'stuff' to keep us mildly entertained. For those who find it entertaining. As a lifelong freelancer battling along to make living out of the game I always thought it was a crucial part of my job to 'keep up' with what's happening. But when administrators refer to 'putting content' into different markets to 'maximise revenue', I realised there wasn't much point. It's not really necessary,is it? If I miss some 'content' today, or this week, there'll be more tomorrow and next week.
Actually, that's a very good point! I haven't quite thought about it that that way:) Too true…even this language they use is devaluing what's happening on the field:)
Great stuff Manners.
And straight back at you, Andrew. You've been nailing your column for ages - hope you're getting the appreciation you deserve...
Good on you Manners -- fond memories of fun times in press boxes past. Keep up the great work cobber.
I guess by waiting until December they will have plenty of time to find where the Renegades players went after the team was, sort of, abolished only a month or two ago. And time to recruit new players, staff, admin if they can't find where they went to spend their redundancy payments....
Played in Chennai. I suppose though it is a true neutral venue. Will the crowd be Indians with a heavy expat Australian contribution ? Will it televised world wide with an AI crowd background ?
You can never have enough content in order to return never enough money.
Dear Leigh, if a non-Ashes Test between England and Australia was ever played in India (and it would have to be non-Ashes because neither country would agree to a match with Ashes status) then there would be NO crowd. Every single Indian friend and colleague I have spoken to agrees that the idea is absurd...!