The IPL has ended international cricket’s monopoly on players’ time, says Australia captain Pat Cummins, who feels it will be a challenge going forward to persuade players to prioritize national duty over franchise cricket.
Cummins agrees that Trent Boult’s decision to refuse New Zealand’s central contract for the lucrative T20 league around the world has been hanging fire since the IPL changed the complexion of the game a decade ago.
“It’s been a while coming, but I think it’s here now,” Cummins was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.
“There is no monopoly on players’ time in international cricket, as it used to be in the past. The IPL changed that a decade ago, but more and more content is going to come in, so I think we have to be proactive about it.”
Read this also ‘No weaknesses in his game’: Kaif warns Australia ahead of WTC final with heavy comment for Indian batsman
Cummins wants his teammates to consider national duty above anything else but said it will be a challenge in these times of cash-rich franchise-based leagues.
“We have to make playing for Australia as special as we can, keeping a high performance every single player wants to play for Australia as much as we can. That is going to be the challenge.
“I think it’s upon us now, and we’ve got to start thinking pretty deeply about it. I think a few years from now, the 12-month international calendar could look a little bit different.”
Cummins believes cricket is going the way of football and a time will come when national teams will need clearance from franchises to play for the country.
Read this also ‘More than form I think it’s the fact that Rohit Sharma will…’: Vengsarkar on Indian captain’s struggles ahead of WTC final
“When you are talking about some of the opportunities that can be provided through franchises, I don’t think you can blame players who may take up this option,” he added.
“I look at the day where that (franchise release) happens. I think that’s the reality. You’ve seen it in other sports. So once again, we have to keep telling why it’s so special to play for Australia.” And making sure there’s some flexibility to try and get the best out of these people.
“We still want the best players to win World Cups for us, win big series. But clearly, there are more competing interests than ever before.
“That’s why things are starting to accelerate, and it’s moving towards a more world football model, where you play for your club, are employed by your club, and you play for your country. become free for.”
Cummins believes that the WTC provides more context to the bilateral Test series.
Read this also ‘It will suit Virat Kohli’: Former India coach warns Australia ahead of WTC final 2023
He said he is looking forward to Australia’s maiden WTC final and that too against India, who made the cut in the previous edition as well.
“We took India to the final of the first World Test Championship, which I think a lot of people have forgotten,” Cummins said.
“It seems like the second time around it got a little bit more. It felt like it missed the first chance. So it definitely gives a little more context to each series now that something bigger is at play.
“Big series, Ashes or India series where you play four or five Test matches are obviously big battles, whereas more normal series where you play two or three in a series, this (World Test Championship) gives them a bit gives. More global context and something extra to play with.”
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI,