Kane Williamson (left) and Tim Southee. (AFP Photo)
In hopes to end players being forced to choose between franchise and international cricket, Tim Southee calls for the cricket boards and franchise leagues to come together and produce a better cricketing calendar.
The debate regarding ‘Club vs Country’ continues to grow in cricket during a time when more franchise cricketing leagues are produced, which give international players even more lucrative contracts than their respective national teams could provide. But the New Zealand captain, Tim Southee shares a fresh perspective on the same.
Southee who has been part of the national side along with several franchise leagues across the globe, has had the experience of playing alongside some of the best talents that have represented his country and in the world.
The Kiwi captain who spoke at the CEAT Cricket Awards 2024 believes that it is time that the franchise leagues and the national cricket board come together to bring out a schedule that favours both parties so that players would not have to choose between playing for the country or their respective franchises.
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“So at this stage, obviously the franchise leagues and the franchise world is growing. It would be nice to see the international [boards] and the leagues working together in some way because, especially Test cricket, I think for a lot of players is still the pinnacle of the format,” Southee was quoted by ESPNCricinfo.
Earlier the World Cricketers Association (WCA) had announced that they would conduct an independent review of the game’s global structure, with the hope that the process gives clarity into solving problems related to a hectic cricket calendar.
Southee on the other hand enjoys playing all the formats but keeps the longest format close to his heart. But sees the other forms of the game as ways to keep players on the constant tide of improving themselves.
“Format-wise, I think Test cricket is still the pinnacle for me and the format I hold closest to the heart. I enjoy the T20, the Hundred format keeps you young, keeps you guessing, keeps you thinking and trying to improve your game, and your skill set, which helps across the other formats,” he said.
The New Zealand Cricket Team will be touring India from October 16 to November 5 where the two sides will take part in a three-match Test series as part of the World Test Championship tournament.
