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Interesting observations, Scott.
One point, though. Your calculation of 70 days work in six months doesn’t take into account the substantial training commitments that also must be a big part of the elite cricketer’s existence. And the huge travel times (you mentioned) you could also reasonably add to their ‘working’ time.
And to add to your contrasting international and county cricket - the level of intensity, expectation and psychological pressure in international cricket would, I strongly suspect, by substantially more draining.
Despite all that, I wouldn’t mind giving it a go for a couple of years. 
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Is too much cricket really never enough?
By Scott 2 years ago, mid-April Leave a comment on this post
With all this media blather about over-worked cricket, I might as well put in my 0.02 cents.
Look, in one sense, it’s a bit rich for cricketers to complain that they are over-worked. Yes, Australia have played eleven Test matches and 18 ODI’s since October, but it is April, now. That is 70 odd days work in six months. Hardly the most onerous of work loads. And Australia have got a few extra days off in that lot by defeating opponents in Test matches in pretty short order. And they get paid literally millions. And they get the best groupies, as you might have noticed if you watch the Allan Border Medal night. So, you know, it’s not that hard a life being an international cricketer.
But on another level, it IS hard work. Adam Gilchrist is not only a fine keeper, passable stand-in captain, mighty batting hero and all round good guy, but he’s usually quite particular about his appearance. I’m not accusing him of being a metrosexual or a wannabe David Beckham, he’s just normally a neat and tidy guy. But in the First Test, he gave a fair impression that he was dressing like a flood victim. Overdue for a shave, too. Miss Zainub would NOT have approved.
Because it is what they are doing on those days off that really tells on the players. English domestic cricket is far more demanding because you are playing cricket day in, day out for months on end. However it takes far less of a toll on the players because they don’t have to travel nearly as much. For a player in a midlands county, away games are just a shire away. None of this intercontinental travel stuff. If you are playing for Derbyshire, half your away games are in driving distance. I’ve had daily commutes longer then the distance between Headingley and Old Trafford.
But for the international cricketer, it is a way bit tougher then that. The cricket is more intense, the pressure higher, the distances are further, and the time away from family is more crushing. Away from the field the temptations and distractions of fame slowly become a burden, the aches and pains dull the senses and it is a wonder that players stay as switched on as they do.
I’m not sure the current surfeit of international Test cricket is entirely good for the fans either. I think something is lost from the anticipation point of view, and that takes away something of the ’specialness’ of the occasion. Test Cricket, like caviar, should not be indulged in every week of the year. It isn’t good for the players or the fans. When the players identify with Bob Segar, we know we have a problem
Tags: adam-gilchrist, allan-border-medal, australia, bob-segar, david-beckham, derbyshire, fame, groupies, headingley, metrosexual, ODI, old-trafford, test-cricket |
6 Responses to “Is too much cricket really never enough?”
April 14th, 2006 at 11.15 am
April 14th, 2006 at 1.49 pm
At least cricketers get to earn their money doing something they love, instead of being stuck in some office at a computer.
April 14th, 2006 at 2.27 pm
Are you slightly underestimating the rigours of the English domestic season? According to Trescothick’s statement are the furore over his mystery tour-ending virus, he said that they spend 300 nights a year away from their homes… http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/4897358.stm
The effects of too much cricket is blatant - look what happened to Graham Thorpe’s career.
I don’t think anyone would complain about less but better quality cricket. The Australian system seems to have about the best balance - plus it adds competition for places in teams - which is surely a good thing?
April 14th, 2006 at 3.56 pm
See, I have a simple take on this.
Yes, they’re probably over worked. And yes, they probably have a little bit of right to complain about it as well, but that doesn’t mean they should go ahead and retire at age 26 ala Afridi…that’s insane…that’s taking the complaining to a level I don’t approve of.
The way out? Put some sense in ALL the national cricket boards along with the ICC, ban back-to-back tests, get rid of the less important one-day tournaments, get rid of 7 match long series (cut these short to 3 or 5), get rid of everything else that is only there for generating money and no other purpose.
April 14th, 2006 at 4.26 pm
For Immediate Dispatch To: Mr. Scott Wickstein
From: The Anti Foolish Hair Cut Association Head Office
Message: Thank you for mentioning our President and speculating on weather she would or would not have approved of Mr. Adam Gilchrist’s unusual facial hair. We regret to inform you that The Anti Foolish Hair Cut Association does not have any fixed rules pertaining facial hair (just a few personal preferences that can vary from one TAFHCA member to another, for the President’s preferences see attachment). We advise you should should consult The Beard Liberation Front (a noble organisation “dedicated to the removal of a societal prejudice against the facially folically enhanced or bearded”) for a more detailed critical analysis of Mr. Gilchrist’s facial hair, for more refer to http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4566352.stm. Nevertheless we will more be more then happy to provide an certified analysis of Mr.Gilchrist’s scalp hair, which is our conventional area of expertize.
Attachment: President’s personal preferences:
- no little-tiny-triangular-bits-on-the chin-only style,
- no French styles,
- no Italian styles,
- no untidy-ness,
- no neither here nor there looks,
- nice, clean and, sane (see Inzi and Fred as roll models)
xxxx - The End - xxxx
April 14th, 2006 at 6.37 pm
There is too much cricket about. That’s the truth of it. I look back on my cricket-drought years abroad and the daft things I used to do at any time of the day or night to get some news of a game. Not anymore.
It’s easy to see here on this blog alone. Not that we are cheesed off by the blog - on the contrary, it’s all this cricket, everywhere. Look at last year, or even earlier this year. How many of us were getting up early, logging in and saying hi to everyone? How many get up for the India v England ODIs now? Not many if any. I travelled for 12 hours on Tuesday and couldn’t be bothered to tune in early on Wednesday. That’s a fact.
One more point: it’s one thing to say you get involved in cricket for the love and passion of the game, so take the strain and stop moaning. But just try it, year in, year out. It does get to you. I’ve seen 3 cricketers give up over here this month - they can’t face the new season. I’m a volunteer, I can choose to bust my gut for the game, but imagine, those professionals are under contract and no longer have the choice. There comes a point when it just stops being fun.
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