NEWS
Follow UsThe mushrooming franchise leagues around the world have pushed many players to an alternate career path, so much so that many established cricketers are letting go of their national contracts to become freelancers.
In New Zealand, Trent Boult, Kane Williamson, and Devon Conway have refused to sign central contracts to broaden their horizon in T20 leagues, but Tim Southee feels Test cricket remains the pinnacle of cricket and hopes that Conway and Williamson will be available for the Kiwis throughout the summer.
"I guess it's the way that cricket is going and then the amount of T20 leagues that are popping up. From Kane and Devon's point of view, they're still committed to New Zealand cricket, and we've got nine Test matches coming up. So they're committed to those Test matches,” Southee said on the sidelines of the CEAT cricket rating awards in Mumbai about the calendar clash of different T20 leagues with international cricket.
“So as far as the Test side is concerned, it's not too dissimilar. They'll still be there even though they don't have a New Zealand contract. Format-wise, I think Test cricket is still the pinnacle for me and the format I hold closest to the heart. I really enjoy the T20s, the Hundred format keeps you young, keeps you guessing, keeps you thinking and trying to improve your game, and your skill set, which helps across the other formats."
While many stakeholders in the sport have turned a blind eye to the demanding scheduling in world cricket at the moment, players have become casualties in the process. Southee demands a dialogue between boards to solve the issue.
"Yeah, I think that's the decision that each individual board are taking into account. So, at this stage, obviously, the franchise leagues and the franchise world are growing. It would be nice to see the international [boards] and the leagues working together in some way because, especially Test cricket, I think for many players is still the pinnacle of the format.
"I don't have the answers. Right now, I don't think many people do. So I think it's about working out what's best for each individual board and their players. New Zealand Cricket seem to think that's the best way for the next 12 months. I don't think Kane and Devon will miss a lot of cricket for New Zealand. So, for them to have the flexibility to do that but still be committed to New Zealand, I think that's where the casual playing agreement comes in.
"I think it's just natural when you come to this part of the world. Obviously, spin plays a big part, but ideally, I'd like to play all the Test matches available. I love Test cricket, but I understand there's balance to the side.
“And obviously, it's not easy for a pace bowler to be able to play nine Test matches in the next few months. So there's a lot of Test cricket, so it's all about managing the workloads. But for me, as long as you're fit and ready to go, then I'd like to play every game,” the pacer added.
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