FFS- England players to be allowed to miss tests to play IPL

by Henry Fri 13 Nov 2015, 03:32

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/11992580/England-clear-players-to-put-IPL-one-day-experience-ahead-of-Test-cricket.html

F*ck you Andrew Strauss. I think this will prove to be a disastrous decision that further alienates the England team from its fans, just as some of the love seemed to be coming back last Summer.

There's a reason England haven't prioritised ODI cricket in the past- Apart from the World Cup, we the fans couldn't give a f*ck about it. If Strauss thinks England fans, who already have to pay more than any other fans around the World (barring perhaps Australis) to watch test cricket, will be happy to fork out the same money for games with three or four of the best players missing, they will be sorely mistaken.

I can't stress what a bad move I think this is. If players on the fringe of the England team like Bopara and Luke Wright want to play in the IPL, then fair enough. But if they start allowing the likes of Joe Root, Ben Stokes, James Anderson, and Stuart Broad to miss early season tests, there will be an uproar. The IPL might improve England's white ball cricket, but I reckon 95% of English cricket fans would prefer we were considered the best test team in the world, rather than the best ODI and T20 team.

by lardbucket Fri 13 Nov 2015, 04:18

Maybe he's being pragmatic, given both aspirations seem only remotely possible?

by JGK Fri 13 Nov 2015, 07:00

Strauss is getting paid by the IPL.

by Brass Monkey Fri 13 Nov 2015, 10:41

Watch out - the IPL is going to steal Cook and Bell.

by taipan Fri 13 Nov 2015, 10:47

Brass Monkey wrote:Watch out - the IPL is going to steal Cook and Bell.

And the whole of England starts Mafficking.

by Lindsay no.2 Fri 13 Nov 2015, 17:54

Henry wrote:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/11992580/England-clear-players-to-put-IPL-one-day-experience-ahead-of-Test-cricket.html

F*ck you Andrew Strauss. I think this will prove to be a disastrous decision that further alienates the England team from its fans, just as some of the love seemed to be coming back last Summer.

There's a reason England haven't prioritised ODI cricket in the past- Apart from the World Cup, we the fans couldn't give a f*ck about it. If Strauss thinks England fans, who already have to pay more than any other fans around the World (barring perhaps Australis) to watch test cricket, will be happy to fork out the same money for games with three or four of the best players missing, they will be sorely mistaken.

I can't stress what a bad move I think this is. If players on the fringe of the England team like Bopara and Luke Wright want to play in the IPL, then fair enough. But if they start allowing the likes of Joe Root, Ben Stokes, James Anderson, and Stuart Broad to miss early season tests, there will be an uproar. The IPL might improve England's white ball cricket, but I reckon 95% of English cricket fans would prefer we were considered the best test team in the world, rather than the best ODI and T20 team.

Is that right? I thought it was relatively affordable to go to test cricket in Aus? You guys go - so tell me what's the average ticket price down under.

I agree that I also don't really care for the idea. However, perhaps it was inevitable or perhaps a contracted player might launch some restriction of trade lawsuit or some such.

Well, if Root plays I reckon that'll not only knock a couple of years off his career due to back injuries but also make him more prone to injuries in the seasons he's available. However, fear not as we've got quality back-up ready to step in should that occur.

Whom else would likely get picked up though - our ODI guys are generally pretty shithouse and don't have cool nicknames like 'The Show'. Buttler might get a game I guess - but don't forget that our notional best ODI performer, Morgan, has been little more than a bench warmer in IPL.

by Lindsay no.2 Fri 13 Nov 2015, 17:55

JGK wrote:Strauss is getting paid by the IPL.

I wouldn't rule out CEO of the IPL as his next planned career move, especially if he could get in there and somehow spike KP's 'career' over there.

by Ethics? The Gall! Fri 13 Nov 2015, 22:56

Lindsay no.2 wrote:
Is that right? I thought it was relatively affordable to go to test cricket in Aus? You guys go - so tell me what's the average ticket price down under.

read this article from the abc

by Lindsay no.2 Sat 14 Nov 2015, 13:40

Ethics? The Gall! wrote:
Lindsay no.2 wrote:
Is that right? I thought it was relatively affordable to go to test cricket in Aus? You guys go - so tell me what's the average ticket price down under.

read this article from the abc

Cheers for the pointer to that article etg - I didn't realise they ripped you guys off as they do to us over here in the UK.

For a ticket to Lords for the Sri Lanka test next summer it looks like the cheapest (seriously restricted view) seat starts at £30 (60-ish Aus dollars?) and the best grandstand seat comes in at £85 (170 Aus dollars). And that's Sri Lanka. Still, they'll probably largely fill the ground, if not sell it out, for the first 3 days - and the food and drink will sting you big time.

I guess the ACB is obliged to give the tests to the big stadia in Aus - but it would make for a much better atmos if they could farm out the games that will naturally only draw smaller crowds to more intimate venues. NZ have done that kind of thing and play some tests in places that look more like festival set-ups - small permanent stand/pavilion supplemented by marquees and nice spaces of grass or people to occupy. Makes or a better TV spectacle and I guess it feels better at the game too.

by LeFromage Sat 14 Nov 2015, 18:02

Anyway, Strauss has clarified that no-one will be allowed to miss Tests to play IPL, so there we go.

by taipan Sat 14 Nov 2015, 18:12

Dello wrote:Anyway, Strauss has clarified that no-one will be allowed to miss Tests to play IPL, so there we go.

So KP is safe.

by LeFromage Sat 14 Nov 2015, 18:50

Until Strauss releases his autobiography "Pip pip, what-oh", in which he'll savagely besmirch Kevin's name, in salty language and anodyne Toryisms.

by PeterCS Sat 14 Nov 2015, 22:56

Actually it's called "Enjoy the Travelling Circus, Old Fruit!"

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