A few years ago, a high-profile cricketer was approached by an Indian Premier League franchise who were enquiring as to his potential availability for a short stint.
One of their overseas contingent had broken down and they wanted to fill the gap as they pushed for a place in the knockout stages of the tournament.
The player in question said he would be willing if a certain fee was forthcoming as, if I heard correctly, ‘I’m not that bothered about playing there but if you’re going to go, you’re only going for one thing’.
For one reason or another, maybe the cost or the international schedule, the proposed move didn’t happen but in a nutshell it encapsulated what the IPL is all about.
And this was emphasised earlier this week by the news that Joe Root is to miss the upcoming T20 tri-series with Australia and New Zealand.
At first glance the two may not seem to be related but a paragraph in the newspaper I was reading, one which stated Root would be putting his name in the hat for this year’s IPL auction, proved otherwise.
As the man himself said: “Of course, there is a money side to it, there is no point lying about it. That is obviously a benefit of playing in the IPL but that is not why I went into the auction. I really believe playing a block of Twenty20 cricket with that scrutiny, being under pressure for long periods of time against the world’s players in that format would be a great opportunity to develop and learn my white-ball game.
“With the two major tournaments in white-ball cricket around the corner that is what going there is all about, to gain experience in the short form and work with other players around the world who have had a huge amount of exposure to Twenty20 cricket, and see some different coaches.”
It would be a bit harsh to condemn Root’s decision as at least he alluded to the financial aspect but there wasn’t really the need to then lapse into cricketing cliché.
It seems to be the default setting of those who go to the IPL of treating the money factor as the elephant in the room while waxing lyrical about the benefits of playing with and against the best players in the world.
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Now if, for example, you’re Jofra Archer who is yet to play international cricket, six weeks in India may do you some good but if you’re a well-established international is this really the case?
A break from the norm and the opportunity to experience the novelty aspect is no doubt appealing – who wouldn’t want to be on the same side as Mitchell Starc rather than having to face him or to have Virat Kohli set the field for you as opposed to bowling at him – but don’t dress it up as something it isn’t.
When international cricketers such as Root, who endure punishing calendars that are formulated to fill TV schedules and maximise revenue rather than have any interest in those doing the playing, opt to participate in a domestic tournament it isn’t tricky to see where the attraction lies.
And when international cricket – by its very definition where the best players tend to, or at least should, reside unless I’m missing something – is pushed to one side, have priorities been knocked out of sync?
This argument could well be way wide of the mark and to criticise Root and others in a similar position is akin to banging a head against a brick wall, but taking rest at the expense of internationals and not a potential IPL gig could well represent a turning of the tide, that is, if the tide hasn’t already been turned.
AFP PHOTO / Saeed KHAN
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There is a bigger picture, that of the proliferation of international cricket to the extent where something had to give, but that demands a more forensic study.
However, to take one cricketer’s decision about his upcoming schedule in isolation, and in the future it could be any of the game’s leading lights if current trends continue, it isn’t overly difficult to see the common denominator at work.
You can’t blame Root or anyone else for doing it – short career and all that and, let’s be honest now, you and I would do the same – but don’t fall for the game-improving waffle.
This is about the almighty dollar. Just please don’t pretend otherwise.
Kris
Guest
And Joe Root goes unsold at the IPL auction making this a debate about nothing.
Johnny Dalmas
Guest
Because playing IPL will make you a better T20 cricketer than playing International T20.
Todd Shan
Guest
Having sport boards now mainly of corporate/company career directors can lead to bullying tactics. Also it is not good enough just to have corporates as directors as one also needs board members not just with business acumen but with an understanding of the sport itself and the development and career path of the players. We have gone from one extreme to the other in cricket ditching the state representation model where there was at least some sporting expertise of the male variety compared to the corporate variety who know little about the game. The only time they get to see the sport played is when they are in corporate boxes eating and drinking and have no idea what cut grass smells like on a cricket oval. I admire the players for sticking together and yes CA totally misread them but I commend in particular the state based players who had no income in this period but they all stuck together. Very disappointed in Mark Taylor's comments. Clearly cannot think for himself.
Simoc
Guest
IPL is where the world cricket is at. It has been for awhile. While the no hopers wax lyrical about test crickest only the thickest of idiots could miss the obvious. IPL gives you fame, exposure and money inside three hours. Test cricket gives tired old writers like Alec five days to bludge and talk nonsense, with an element of truth involved. Great for nobodies to earn a crust but the top players earn in 3 hours, what test players don't over 5 days. For compensation the national players get ridiculed by their home press like Alec, if they fail, or horror of horrors lose. In T20 the next game is only a day or two away so quickly forgotten. What do the crowds world wide go to? Entertainment! Sure we get crowds to the Ashes and that is it. Such a wimpy cheapshot article because they make money and you don't. And the reason is ability. They have it.
Ad-0
Guest
I think you are missing something. It's not just the money, it's not just being on the same team as the best players in the world, it's the experience of living like a rock star in a country of over 1 Billion people. The pressure, the scrutiny, the adulation. The only thing that comes close is playing in the superbowl or the champions league final. Who wouldn't want a piece of that?
Salvatore Borraccino
Roar Rookie
Hit and giggle cricket.I will take test cricket EVERY day.
broken-hearted toy
Guest
Exactly. I'd bite your hand off for that sort of opportunity if I was a young cricketer. They have a lot of fun at the tournament as well.
BrainsTrust
Guest
Chinese league? Can you explain why Tevez on a 100 million a year made a run for it. Its hardly a desirable league to play in if they are paying an over the hill player that amount and they then leave.
Monk without Ferrari
Guest
Bad Bad Joe. wanting to get rich... People who run after the money are the worst.. the absolute worst. I am an investment banker and never ever think about money.. I do it only for the love of the job ... just like the each of you fantastic people..
Andy
Guest
In this case, Alec, I think you have got it wrong. Not sure if you have actually watched the IPL but it is outstanding cricket played in front of fantastic audiences. A better analogy would be the relationship between club and country in soccer. Clearly, the top flight European and Chinese Leagues are where the money is, and these offer the challenge to top ranked sportsmen. The exponential growth of the IPL, coupled with India's exponential economic growth, mean that the centre of gravity for cricketers will inevitably change. And this is a good thing for cricket, and cricketers. It will be more lucrative to play in India than play for your country. This has already happened for the Windies, and will happen for everyone else in the next few years as well. The change might seem hard but in the end it will be good for the game.
Brainstrust
Guest
I think playing in the IPL would be good prep for a T20 world cup on the subcontinent or even one dayers. The next T20 world cup is in Australia though, so why miss T20's in AUstralia. The next one day world cup is in England.
dave
Guest
Lets say we have a brilliant young talent who has to decide between pursuing an afl career or a professional cricket career. To play at the top level there is 11 spots up for grabs in the Aussie cricket team vs 22 spots among 18 teams in the afl. Pretty simple desicion if you are thinking about financial security. However now its possible to make a good quid playing 20/20 even if you never make it into the Australian 11. This might help sway a few promising youngsters towards cricket.
Jack Russell
Roar Guru
Of course it's about the money, I don't think anyone seriously denies that. But so what? They're professional cricketers. What's the problem?
matth
Guest
I think this is the way to go. Otherwise 50 over cricket will have to be severely cut down to allow for T20 internationals. Can't have both.
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
matth - agree 100% about Root. His response is not "waffle". He simply recognises the dual value of $$ and experience.I think the author has picked the wrong player to illustrate what is perhaps a valid point.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Agreed there, should only have T20 internationals at the time of the world cup, although I think it should be every 2 years, not 4. The ODI world cup can stay every 4 years.
David
Guest
I think I am with most people here. Let's get rid of the meaningless T20 Internationals (and the ODI series). The country based 20/20 competitions (Big Bash, IPL etc) offer players enough money and the T20 Internationals merely clutter the calendar. Then, forge an agreement with all the country based 20/20 comps to have a window for a genuine T20 World Cup once every 4 years. The players will then want to play for their country and the public will be keen to see their players compete on a country vs country basis. I'm sure Root is not the only top tier player not representing his country in these T20's.
matth
Guest
Yes it's for the money, but don;t be so quick to dismiss Root's other reasons for playing. These T20 tournaments give players a window to play the same format over and over, train for it and develop their tactics and games accordingly. If Root doesn't play in one of the franchise tournaments, then how will he ever get to play a block of T20 cricket to learn the game. Basically he will play a few here and there for England, sandwiched between other formats, and then he will be expected to be on top of this format for the World Cup every 4 years. Look at how the players who play in the BBL are starting to forge ahead of the international players (who are generally better talents) because they get to hone their specific skills for a number of weeks with specialist coaches and regular games. The Australian test bowlers look fairly tactically inept compared to those who play the format more regularly. Our top order is stuck in accumulation mode because they haven't had exposure to the way the game has changed - they've been busy playing test cricket. For example, I suspect some of Australia's current batting problems at limited overs level will be solved naturally when Finch, Warner, Smith etc go to the IPL this year and catch up with the times.
Kris
Guest
This is all predicated on the idea that some Australian-England T20 matches are meaningful. If anything they are simply being staged for money (no actual impact on a tournament and the money goes to cricket Australia). Why shouldn't Roe Root make money for himself in preference to the ACB? In other sports playing for your club tends to trump playing for your country. Soccer regularly sees players not making themselves available for selection, and basketball is the same with our American based players tending to make themselves (if at all) only for tournament play.
Paul D
Roar Guru
If I was in the players’ position I’d give the T20 internationals the flick too, absolute waste of time Of course the IPL is about the money. I think everyone knows that by now, given it’s been running for a decade. If the price of guaranteeing our very best players for the summer of cricket in Australian colours is letting them jet off to India for 8 weeks to earn several million dollars, well, I can’t begrudge them that. I would have thought it was obvious players are going to talk up the ethos of teams and how much fun it is Alec. In these economically straitened times it wouldn’t be wise for them to come back bragging about how many dollars they made. I’m certain they don’t really believe it anyway, these guys aren’t stupid. They know they’re there for the money, we know they’re there for the money – I think you’d have to be a bit naïve to really believe their tried and tested media talking points about teamwork etc are genuinely heartfelt