ICC World Test Championship Final: "International Cricket Doesn't Have The Monopoly On Players' Time" - Pat Cummins Speaks On Franchise Cricket's Control Before WTC Final

Last Update on: June 3rd, 2023 at 04:08 pm

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Ahead of the highly anticipated ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final, Australian captain Pat Cummins emphasized the significance of the match and the team’s determination to emerge victorious.

Despite the WTC Final being slightly overshadowed by the Indian Premier League and The Ashes, Cummins stressed the importance of not overlooking the achievement of reaching the final. Australia, who narrowly missed out on the inaugural final, are eager to join New Zealand as winners of the biennial event, while India seeks redemption after finishing as runners-up in 2021.

Pat Cummins acknowledges that the dominance of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has significantly impacted the cricket calendar, with international cricket no longer holding a monopoly on players’ time.

IPL franchises have expanded their influence beyond India, acquiring T20 teams in the Caribbean Premier League and spearheading the establishment of T20 leagues in South Africa, the UAE, and the United States. Even Saudi Arabia has shown interest, sponsoring the IPL and potentially aiming to host IPL franchises in a Saudi competition.

Cummins anticipates that the influence of the IPL and its global franchises will continue to grow, further encroaching on Australia’s traditional cricketing summer. He emphasizes the need for proactive measures to maintain the appeal of playing for Australia and to ensure high-performance standards that motivate players to prioritize representing their country. The challenge lies in making the experience of playing for Australia as special as possible, fostering a strong desire among players to wear the national jersey.

“It’s been coming for a while, but I think it is here now. International cricket doesn’t have a monopoly on players’ time, like it did in the past. The IPL changed that a decade ago, but there’s just going to be more and more content that creeps in, so I think we’ve got to be proactive about that,” he was quoted as saying by The Sydney Morning Herald.

“We have to keep making playing for Australia as special as we can, keeping a high performance to get every single player wanting to play for Australia as much as we can. That’s going to be the challenge. I think it’s upon us now, and we’ve got to start thinking about that quite deeply. I think fast-forward a few years time, a 12-month international calendar might look a little bit different.”

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Looking ahead, Cummins envisions a future where players may require releases from their T20 franchises, similar to soccer players needing permission from their clubs to participate in international matches. He believes that as cricket evolves, the international calendar may undergo significant changes within the next few years.

These developments highlight the shifting landscape of cricket, with the IPL exerting its influence and reshaping the priorities of players and cricket boards worldwide. The challenge for cricket administrators lies in striking a balance between the demands of franchise cricket and the preservation of international cricket’s prestige and significance.

What Is The Pinnacle Now? To Win The WTC: David Warner

There is ongoing debate regarding the WTC final’s position in cricket’s hierarchy, with suggestions of expanding it to a three-Test series. Australian batsman David Warner pondered the common goal and whether winning the World Test Championship or triumphing in major series like India in India or the Ashes holds greater value. Warner emphasized that as a player, every Test match is important, making it challenging to determine a clear answer.

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“It’s an interesting one, how you see it as a player and then how you see it as an administrator. What’s the common goal? Is that the pinnacle now? To win the World Test Championship? Or is it winning the big series: India in India, Ashes away, Ashes home? As a player, every test match I play I obviously want to win. So they’re all big to me. It’s actually a hard one to answer.”

“It’s a difficult one. You can say both teams have played really well in the last two years so from our perspective, when you play one game, I don’t think it really rewards the team who’s actually played well. If it’s a three game series, then it might be a little bit different, but one game shouldn’t just be the result of ‘you’re crowned champions’.”

Also Read: ICC World Test Championship Final: “Virat Kohli Loves To Bat Against The Australians” – Greg Chappell Comments On Indian Superstar’s Role IN WTC Final

India have enjoyed success against Australia in recent years, winning their last four Test series, both at home and away. Warner acknowledged the tough competition between the two teams and the complexities of their past encounters. He also expressed reservations about a single Test match determining the ultimate champion, suggesting that a three-match series might be a fairer format.

As the WTC final approaches, both teams are eagerly preparing to seize the opportunity and etch their names in cricket history. The clash promises to be a thrilling battle, showcasing the skills and determination of two formidable teams vying for the coveted championship title.