All the best and most compelling reasons in the world, technical, financial and emotional, point towards the ‘IPL Five’ making their choice not to play in the two Test matches against Bangladesh and head to Mumbai to join up with their Franchises. It is common sense. I have argued long and hard in defence of the players, for many years, building up to this moment, which was inevitable. I advocated the practical, fiscal temptation ahead of the emotional, ‘patriotic’ choice. Take the money while you can, I said. When you get injured and your country discards you, I said, you will be forgotten in five minutes. Look after yourself.
I'm glad you mentioned the board. They've been curiously silent. Inviting Bangladesh, on the rise and coached by South Africans, to play us at Kingsmead and St George's Park, in the IPL window, are not the actions of an organisation bent on winning. Pity the players couldn't have taken the high road but this is professional sport and, from one professional to another, I certainly can't blame them, nor how they've gone about it.
Hang on a second, zondo and dupavillon to play? KZN local move?
I'm glad you mentioned the board. They've been curiously silent. Inviting Bangladesh, on the rise and coached by South Africans, to play us at Kingsmead and St George's Park, in the IPL window, are not the actions of an organisation bent on winning. Pity the players couldn't have taken the high road but this is professional sport and, from one professional to another, I certainly can't blame them, nor how they've gone about it.