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Mitchell Marsh looks set to turn down the riches of the Indian Premier League in favour of a summer on the English County circuit. This could prove to be a shrewd career move given the all-rounder’s recent omission from the Australian Test team.
The timing of Marsh’s announcement is particularly apt given the recent release of the cricket film, ‘Death of a Gentleman’.
Cricket writers turned filmmakers, Sam Collins and Jarred Kimber, expose how the global game is now “driven by the pursuit of commerce and human greed”.
Showing similarities to the World Cricket Series in the late 1970s, emerging T20 competitions are now attracting the world’s best talent to the glitz and glamour of the game’s shortest format.
While this appears to be having a positive short-term effect on gate sizes, Collins and Kimber argue that Test cricket is being allowed to wither due to a disproportionate amount of interest shown by administrators towards the faster forms of the game.
With the international cricket calendar becoming increasingly cluttered with franchised competitions, it comes as no surprise that players’ heads are being turned by the money earning potential these competitions hold.
Mitchell Marsh’s decision to shun the IPL in order to develop his Test-playing credentials must be considered all the more creditable in a climate where money dictates such a big role in a player’s decision making.
Visa requirements and ECB rulings have presented Australian players with obstacles in the past, however, with only one overseas player permitted in each side for first-class and one-day competitions. Players must also fulfil criteria regarding top-level international experience to obtain a visa.
While Collins and Kimber’s contention lies mainly with the world’s cricket administrators, there can be no arguments that having multiple forms of the game is crucial to the survival of the sport.
The ODI and T20 formats have pioneered some of the sport’s biggest innovations and developments. Such developments have directly influenced the way that Test Cricket is run and played, contributing to increased player participation in Australia.
Cricket’s current era has led to a new breed of specialist, with players flying around the world specifically to take part in the game’s shortest format. While elements of T20 are creeping into the Test arena, these T20 specialists have a long way to go to prove their ability is ready for the rigours of the five-day game.
Calls for Glenn Maxwell to be included in the Australia Test squad after his 2015 World Cup showing were short-lived, as selectors appeared to be unconvinced as to his red ball credentials. Maxwell appears to be stating his case for a call-up again however after a successful stint in Yorkshire CC’s English County Championship side.
Maxwell’s ability to score runs in the English Championship will be looked on much more favourably by the Test selectors than a quick 40 in the IPL. While competitions like the IPL are integral to the development of cricket as a game, players looking to enhance their Test-playing careers must look further afield than the T20 money merry-go-round if they are serious about improving.
Finding a balance between all formats is something that Maxwell is now using to positive effect, and with Marsh set to follow in his footsteps, it will hopefully pave the way for future Australian Test players to do the same thing.
One of the main issues highlighted during an abysmal Ashes tour of the UK has been Australia’s inability to deal with the local conditions. With this appearing to be a long-term issue, preparations for the England Ashes tour in four years time should be starting sooner rather than later.
With Australia not winning an Ashes series overseas since 2001, who knows, 2019 could be our year… if Test Cricket hasn’t died by then anyway.
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