WEST INDIES CRICKET

Michael Clarke urges West Indies to prioritise Test cricket

by Cricbuzz Staff • Published on

Clarke believes that the ICC needs to step in to prevent cricketers from choosing club over country. © Cricbuzz

Michael Clarke, Australia's former captain, believes that the International Cricket Council (ICC) needs to step in to prevent players from choosing club over country. With numerous cash-rich Twenty20 leagues sprouting across the globe, Test cricket is facing a rather severe challenge. West Indies' cricket, in particular, has plunged into a deep crisis with players opting to play in T20 leagues rather than don the nation's outfit in the longest format of the game.

Incidentally, West Indies were crushed inside three days in the first Test against Australia in Hobart. While West Indies continue to flounder in the five-day game, the likes of Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Andre Russell, Darren Sammy and Co. are playing in the Big Bash League (BBL).

On his part, Clarke noted that the ICC should find a balance that would enable cricketers to also participate in T20 leagues like the Indian Premier League (IPL).

"The players that are here playing in the BBL I think it's really disappointing they're not part of the West Indies Test team. There's a number of players in Australia who would be in their No.1 picked Test team. I think it's disappointing for the game and Test cricket. I'd like to see that getting changed. That will come down to the ICC and the West Indies board trying to get together to make it work," Clarke was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald on Friday (December 18).

"I think international cricket has to be the priority. T20 tournaments are important and fantastic to watch, but I think there's nothing more special than representing your country. I've always been a believer Test cricket is the pinnacle, but we need the best players playing as well," he added.

"T20 is great and there's room for all three formats but it's called a Test. It's what you do in the shorter forms over five days. If we present an opportunity to another country, where their best players can play in both Test cricket and also play in the IPL and BBL, I'm confident it can work," he opined.

Samuel Badree, the leg-spinner, who is playing in the BBL, requested the ICC and various governments across the Caribbean islands to come together in a bid to help West Indies.

"It's disappointing and deeply painful to be a player and to see the level we have reached. There has been a lot of conjecture about the reasons and I don't want to get into that - just to say that we need help. Whether it comes from the ICC or whether it comes from the governments of the West Indies, at the end of the day we need some help to get our cricket back on the right track," he said.

© Cricbuzz

TAGS

RELATED STORIES