Is it fair to criticise our players for choosing IPL over test cricket?

**cricketrulez** · 04-08-2012, 11:05 PM

I think the problem isnt going to be just IPL, now we have the KFC Big BAsh in Australia. The English have the EPL I think, BPL in BD, SLPL soon. SA already have a league so all these leagues are starting to fill up the international calendar.

I think you are missing a key aspect, the economics . why didn't SLPL happen? Big bash has a chance but as you pointed out it runs concurrent to the aus season. The rest of the leagues are non starters and don't have the economic muscle to affect international cricket

I don't like that international cricket has to be based around the IPL. It takes out a 2 month chunk out of the calendar now.

Technically it is ~6 weeks. If international cricket is so weak that it can't survive 6 weeks of domestic cricket during a time when weather is shitty just about everywhere for test cricket, toughshit for international cricket.

It doesnt really have to be that way though. For example, take the KFC Big Bash and the Australian summer of cricket. They ran in Parallel. Crowds were still there for both. It was a big test for CA but it paid off for them I think.

That is because aus economy is strong enough to support that. once again there are the haves and the have nots. how much of the Big bash revenue does cricket australia distribute to others?

At the end of the day this isnt really a player issue. Its a management issue. If the SLC can be a successful entity then they dont have to depend on the IPL money.

SLC is not depending on IPL money. they are depending on BCCI's money and if SLC messes with IPL, BCCI will ream SLC a new one Case in point IPL 4.

We can hate the IPL and India as much as we want but our board also depends on the money that comes from letting players play in the IPL. That is the problem specially for Sri Lanka.

If the board had money and they could pay the guys competitive salaries to all the players, on time, then the board can make its case and say, Pak tour is during the IPL, we expect you to play. Or Ban them, so if a player picks the IPL you can then say they picked money of country. At the moment that argument, at least for SL players, is mute.

But the reality is and will be until we sort out the financials, SLC needs our players to play in the IPL. Our players need to play in the IPL. And SL needs India tours to make money.

Give this man a CIGAR!

I don't know about you guys but I've only ever seen a couple of games of the IPL. It holds zero value to me. I don't have a team to support. It seems cheap, is too long, and the cricket isnt that good in general. The IPL will live on cuz they dont need outside vieweship. As long as Indians like it the IPL will survive. So I honestly do not expect any of this to change in the next 5 years.

Pretty good analysis there mate!

The ICC are really useless. If they wanted test cricket to matter they would have put the test championship in place. It was suppposed to start this year but they pushed it back to 2017. I honestly dont think it will start then either.

ICC is powerless. they need revenue from BCCI market to do anything worthwhile. unitl there is resemblance of economic balance the situation is to going to change. Test championship was postponed becos ICC wanted to take over test tv contracts. ECB, CA and BCCI said no way. see here about why the test championship was cancelled

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/c...ry/394478.html

If the rest of the boards really care about cricket so much, why do they want tv contracts and revenue rearranged?

**mugatiya** · 04-09-2012, 01:03 AM

I think you are missing a key aspect, the economics . why didn't SLPL happen? Big bash has a chance but as you pointed out it runs concurrent to the aus season. The rest of the leagues are non starters and don't have the economic muscle to affect international cricket

Yea agree with that. I think the only two leagues which could potentially cut into the international calendar is the KFC Big Bash and the EPL. Those two boards are probably the only two with the moneytary power to have a league that players will want to play in while having an affect on availability for international games

Technically it is ~6 weeks. If international cricket is so weak that it can't survive 6 weeks of domestic cricket during a time when weather is shitty just about everywhere for test cricket, toughshit for international cricket.

Cricket can be played in SL, India, Pak, UAE, BD, WI ? Forget the money. Do you prefer to watch the IPL or see International cricket?

That is because aus economy is strong enough to support that. once again there are the haves and the have nots. how much of the Big bash revenue does cricket australia distribute to others?
What I am saying is that intertional cricket does not have to stop cuz of the IPL, like the WI series for eg. But boards like SLC have to let their players play cuz our boards are one of the have nots. I am agreeing with you on this. I am talking about a fictional world where SLC actually has money to make players really think about going to the IPL as opposed to say playing a 3rd test vs England

SLC is not depending on IPL money. they are depending on BCCI's money and if SLC messes with IPL, BCCI will ream SLC a new one Case in point IPL 4.
IPL/BCCI same thinng isnt it? I was under the impression that the board gets money from the franchises or BCCI or IPL, all the same to me, for letting these players take part. Maybe I was wrong. Let me know if I am. So atm, SLC are dependant on Indian money, am I wrong in saying that?

Give this man a CIGAR!
Not sure if you are being sarcastic?

Pretty good analysis there mate!
Again, not sure if you are being sarcastic. I dont hate the IPL, but I dont really care about it either. To me its just something that happens in the cricket calendar now and I am not really bothered by what goes in it. That's just me. And what I said about Indians loving it, at least to me is true. I've seen your comments on other threads and I see you always defending the IPL and BCCI. Do you enjoy watching the IPL ? Dont have a problem if you do. Would like to know what your stance is on it.

What I think the IPL really wants is the EPL (football) type of following. World wide. Who knows maybe in 50 years time it will have that, but I doubt it.

ICC is powerless. they need revenue from BCCI market to do anything worthwhile. unitl there is resemblance of economic balance the situation is to going to change. Test championship was postponed becos ICC wanted to take over test tv contracts. ECB, CA and BCCI said no way. see here about why the test championship was cancelled

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/c...ry/394478.html

If the rest of the boards really care about cricket so much, why do they want tv contracts and revenue rearranged?

Aren't we agreeing on this? ICC are spineless. I am not blaming the BCCI or India on this. I think all the boards really care about is their own interest. No one has a wordly view. Which is what the ICC is supposed to have but They dont have any power to do anything. The problem is that the traditional boards have too much of a stronghold and say in how the test lascape is shaped. Not a top down approach which I think most of us want to see.

Change as they say, is not coming.

---------

Oh a different note, tell us your personal thoughts on IPL and Test cricket. ? Do you think its having a negative impact? Do you love the IPL ?

**cricketrulez** · 04-09-2012, 02:42 PM

Mugatiya,

no sarcasm in my post. Really stark analysis of the situation by you.

**cricketrulez** · 04-10-2012, 01:12 AM

Cricket can be played in SL, India, Pak, UAE, BD, WI ? Forget the money. Do you prefer to watch the IPL or see International cricket?

Test cricket in april and may in india, pak, BD and sri lanka? Thats just nuts. the heat and humidity is just horrible. players can barely survive night cricket. The only players who wil survive are subcontinental players, that too would be piss poor cricket in dust bowl or flat roads. UAE? it is not a test playing country. WI is the only country whose home season coincides with IPL. But they haven't stopped a series becos of IPL

IPL/BCCI same thinng isnt it? I was under the impression that the board gets money from the franchises or BCCI or IPL, all the same to me, for letting these players take part. Maybe I was wrong. Let me know if I am. So atm, SLC are dependant on Indian money, am I wrong in saying that?

I think its less about the cash directly from IPl and more about BCCI promise of regular indian tour of SL in addition to the FTP. the 10% they receive from layer salary is not that much in comparison to tv revenues. But that pretty much true of every board. Pak is in a world of hurt becos of india not touring.

Not sure if you are being sarcastic? Again, not sure if you are being sarcastic.

Not one bit. you have dead on about SLC's predicament. not a pleasant situation, but you are calling a spade a spade. not very common in this forum besides a select few.

I dont hate the IPL, but I dont really care about it either. To me its just something that happens in the cricket calendar now and I am not really bothered by what goes in it. That's just me. And what I said about Indians loving it, at least to me is true. I've seen your comments on other threads and I see you always defending the IPL and BCCI. Do you enjoy watching the IPL ? Dont have a problem if you do. Would like to know what your stance is on it.

I would prefer test cricket in sporting wickets over t20 any day. But I'll take t20 in small dose. it brings about a different aspect of the game where you don' get to walk off with a draw and just about every ball counts. lets you evaluate who can accomplish a task rather than simply a good inning like some short mumbaikar is known for

What I think the IPL really wants is the EPL (football) type of following. World wide. Who knows maybe in 50 years time it will have that, but I doubt it.

I don't think they are looking for the whole world. it is strictly to tap into the indian middle class which has a appetite for more cricket w/o having to share the proceeds with any other board and it has worked out well.

ICC are spineless.

ICC is not a independent monolithic organization and it derives its resources/power from the member boards and it is weird situation where one member holds all the aces from an economic stand point. no, change will not come until either rest of the boards don't care for cash from BCCI or equal resources available for cricket from each country.

Between, test, odi and t20. if I had to pick 2 i'd pick test and t20. test is gourmet meal that you eat once a month and t20 is a meal that you can live with 2-3 days a week.

**IBA** · 04-10-2012, 10:23 AM

In general, I don't like it when players choose IPL over Test cricket. Can't say much when your board doesn't pay you properly for playing for the country.

**creative artist** · 04-10-2012, 11:34 AM

he he..long long post..to me itz like players dont have enough money to live another 30 years after they retired with there life styles specially.even the players like sanga mahela or dilshan in that matter..only AUS and IND players have salaries for live another 30,40 years after retirement..

so i dont hate players playing IPL or KFC BB or BPL or SLPL.but the problem is when it comes to what pollard and narain doing.that should not be happening at all.

i think boards should take all the responsibility..they should manage players..so far to me,Sri lanka and our boys handle it really well..

arjuans case is exception where i vote for players.there is another side of the story as i already told when it has happened..

so im good with SLz situation so far..

**Lanka Lion** · 04-10-2012, 01:48 PM

In my opinion, I think it is unfair for the rest of skilled players to wait while the selected few take part in IPL tournament. This is a great opportunity to try out our young talent by appointing a captain like Thilan Samaraweera who does not take part in IPL. We should organize at least few one-day matches with countries that are willing to play us during this time.

Eranga, Nuwan Pradeep, Maharoof, Bhanuka Rajapakse, Jeevan Mendis, Sachitra Sena, Prasanna, and whoever is not playing IPL can be selected to this team to play. That way, come next world cup, we will have a larger pool of players with international experience to select from. Also, for other tournaments, we can rest Sanga, Dilshan, Mahela, Angelo etc. and play these players using a rotational policy.

If we had a plan like this, we could have easily rested our top players for the Asia Cup this year, who were worn out playing so much cricket in South Africa and Australia. We could have had a better performance if we played fresh players all the time.
This is how countries like Australia, South Africa and England get maximum use of available talent...even India had been, lately, executing this policy for their one-day team.

What we need to understand is, Sri Lanka should not be limited to Mahela, Sanga, Dilshan and Malinga group! It has so much talent, and we need to unearth them by giving them enough exposure. If we kept them in the closset and play these top players all the time, for every match we play, then we will only win tournaments when they are fresh and in form.

A policy like this will also teach players like Malinga a good lesson! I still cannot believe how this Malinga who showed no interest in giving his best in Australia's CB series while fielding, suddenly started to perform well for the IPL matches!!!
Even in the last IPL, Malinga batted and fielded much better than what he showed us in Australia's CB series.

Again, playing for Sri Lanka should not be limited for this selected few players (i.e. Mahela, Sanga, Dilshan, Angelo and Malinga). We must find a way to play continously at international level even in their absence.

Thank you.

**creative artist** · 04-10-2012, 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by Lanka Lion

In my opinion, I think it is unfair for the rest of skilled players to wait while the selected few take part in IPL tournament. This is a great opportunity to try out our young talent by appointing a captain like Thilan Samaraweera who does not take part in IPL. We should organize at least few one-day matches with countries that are willing to play us during this time.

yeah..good idea..but u have to make people and players and fans understand this is just a tour to test young players,coz otherwise it may really harm the connection between players and administration as well as lot of people ll think the players who are playing IPL are just took IPL over country..

so A team tours are the best option..

**mugatiya** · 04-10-2012, 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by Lanka Lion

In my opinion, I think it is unfair for the rest of skilled players to wait while the selected few take part in IPL tournament. This is a great opportunity to try out our young talent by appointing a captain like Thilan Samaraweera who does not take part in IPL. We should organize at least few one-day matches with countries that are willing to play us during this time.

Eranga, Nuwan Pradeep, Maharoof, Bhanuka Rajapakse, Jeevan Mendis, Sachitra Sena, Prasanna, and whoever is not playing IPL can be selected to this team to play. That way, come next world cup, we will have a larger pool of players with international experience to select from. Also, for other tournaments, we can rest Sanga, Dilshan, Mahela, Angelo etc. and play these players using a rotational policy.

If we had a plan like this, we could have easily rested our top players for the Asia Cup this year, who were worn out playing so much cricket in South Africa and Australia. We could have had a better performance if we played fresh players all the time.
This is how countries like Australia, South Africa and England get maximum use of available talent...even India had been, lately, executing this policy for their one-day team.

What we need to understand is, Sri Lanka should not be limited to Mahela, Sanga, Dilshan and Malinga group! It has so much talent, and we need to unearth them by giving them enough exposure. If we kept them in the closset and play these top players all the time, for every match we play, then we will only win tournaments when they are fresh and in form.

A policy like this will also teach players like Malinga a good lesson! I still cannot believe how this Malinga who showed no interest in giving his best in Australia's CB series while fielding, suddenly started to perform well for the IPL matches!!!
Even in the last IPL, Malinga batted and fielded much better than what he showed us in Australia's CB series.

Again, playing for Sri Lanka should not be limited for this selected few players (i.e. Mahela, Sanga, Dilshan, Angelo and Malinga). We must find a way to play continously at international level even in their absence.

Thank you.

While this is a valid point, how practical is it to play a SL side that has none of its draw cards?

No one is going to be interested in playing a 2nd string SL side. No board with their right might would ever agree to such a series because its just not in their interest.

You guys are only thinking about the 'cricket'.

When in reality this is a much larger issue as cricketrulez and me have been discussing above. It involved board politics, TV rights, salability of a series, marketing.

Like cricketrulz said there arent too many places you can play cricket during the IPL period anyway. Its winter in Australia and the sother hemisphere, its too early in Eng - county season just started - sending a team there now would be like sending them to slaughter. Only real places are SL, Pak - dont play there no more, India - cant cuz of IPL, BD - who cares.

If you want to groom talent, send them to play in the county championship or league cricket. Or send them to Australia to play shield or grade cricket. Or organise more A tours, where someone like Thilan can captain and take a bunch of kids to play the up coming talent in Eng, SA, Aus, Ind.

**cricketrulez** · 04-10-2012, 08:27 PM

It involved board politics, TV rights, salability of a series, marketing.

The best example of this is the fate of Lalit modi. think about it. The guy put together league in india in six frickin months! six months! It used to take that long to get the bureaucracy to sign of on a land line phone connection. They got rid off him even faster once he became a problem.