Gayle was ready for Windies

[Peter R]

Gayle was ready for Windies
...had written off IPL 2011 until Bangalore call

By
Story Created: Apr 25, 2011 at 11:48 PM ECT
Story Updated: Apr 25, 2011 at 11:48 PM ECT
l INDIA
Former West Indies captain Chris Gayle says he had written off IPL (Indian Premier League) 2011 and was getting ready to resume international duties before being dropped from the Windies team for the series against Pakistan.

complete article at:
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/sport...120677194.html

[Peter R]

The problem with having an IPL window is that would amount to almost two months! So, do we reserve a window for Australia's big bash too? and what is to prevent anyone else from starting their own pro league that lasts a month or longer? Do they then get a window?

And what happens to cricketers who are not in these leagues? isn't having a proliferation (potentially) of these types of leagues going to kill the goose? What nurtured the current crop of cricketers? A lot of questions come to mind and as I have not thought these through I am posing some of them here for feedback.

Currently and historically, the Indians have never had a clash with their international schedule and the IPL... this is not an accident. Is this fair to other countries that have clashes in their international schedule? Is the IPL considering this? the ICC? It appears not.

While Gayle professes to be all for the Windies, his comments suggest to me that he is missing the big picture of how the IPL and such leagues will affect cricket in general, unless and until the ICC reigns in the IPL... but there is currently very little chance of that.

Historically, the Kerry Packers have engendered changes to the game that have been welcome and compromises have been made... it is difficult to see the IPL, having been given such leeway, being hauled back to a more reasonable position. The lure of big bucks is going to damage the game and fiascos like with Gayle will arise in future... had there been no IPL, there would have been no issue and Gayle, Pollard et al would have signed for the Windies and learned to eke out a living on the paltry $120K US a year they would have earned.

[Peter R]

Moderators, pardon the error on posting in the wrong forum.

[Islandman]

Maybe the IPL type of league is the future of professional cricket and international cricket will be like International football, with a few big tournaments every few years? Who knows.

There is no doubt that the cricket calendar is out of control.

[Peter R]

It appears that that is what it's coming to... importantly, it would mean the end of test cricket... still, IMO, the most intriguing form of the game.

[Peter R]

Chanderpaul speaks out....

full story here: http://www.newsday.co.tt/sport/0,139661.html

Chanders challenges Hilaire
By Stephon Nicholas Thursday, April 28 2011



GUYANESE batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul blasted West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) CEO Dr Ernest Hilaire for his comments made while attempting to justify the omission of several experienced players from the West Indies squad for the Pakistan serie

[Islandman]

I agree with that but I am starting to accept that the WI team will only become competitive again if professional cricket goes in that direction.

The environment that created the teams of the 70s and 80s simply no longer exists and the WICB has not been able to figure out an alternative for 20 years now and counting.

[Gamma]

well said shiv .....