I think that, unless something fairly drastic and immediate is done, bilateral cricket is already dead in the water--look at the watered down excuses of teams currently contesting various series, when there isn't a really big-money franchise tournament being played anywhere.
A second IPL--and I wonder whether it will happen, actually: it might be effectively replaced by the mooted Saudi league, which will have owners that make IPL owners look as rich as a homeless alcoholic--is simply part of this process, along with the Hundred, the SA20, MLC and the ILT20.
Your point about the get-rich-quick players is well made I think, Neil. None of this would be possible without the rampant, out-of-control greed and self-obsession of many--especially leading--current players.
It's partly why the timing of Dean Elgar's retirement brought a chuckle to my face. Sure he wants to go out at his favourite ground, but I imagine that he's also stopped being too keen about helping the board--and a game--that takes players like him for granted and treats them like disposable shit, to save face during the NZ series, which is a mess for which he is one of the few cogs in South African cricket not to hold some responsibility.
I think that, unless something fairly drastic and immediate is done, bilateral cricket is already dead in the water--look at the watered down excuses of teams currently contesting various series, when there isn't a really big-money franchise tournament being played anywhere.
A second IPL--and I wonder whether it will happen, actually: it might be effectively replaced by the mooted Saudi league, which will have owners that make IPL owners look as rich as a homeless alcoholic--is simply part of this process, along with the Hundred, the SA20, MLC and the ILT20.
Your point about the get-rich-quick players is well made I think, Neil. None of this would be possible without the rampant, out-of-control greed and self-obsession of many--especially leading--current players.
It's partly why the timing of Dean Elgar's retirement brought a chuckle to my face. Sure he wants to go out at his favourite ground, but I imagine that he's also stopped being too keen about helping the board--and a game--that takes players like him for granted and treats them like disposable shit, to save face during the NZ series, which is a mess for which he is one of the few cogs in South African cricket not to hold some responsibility.
Happy Christmas Neil. See you at Newlands for the 2nd test?
Merry Christmas Manners, thanks for many many great articles the last year. Looking forward to 2024