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Buchanan’s revamp
By Will last year, mid-November Leave a comment on this post
John Buchanan (right) has come out of hiding and suggested a revamp of world cricket.
“This equality debate keeps bubbling to the surface and means that there is a serious issue there,” Buchanan told the Age. “I think it mightn’t be a bad thing if the ICC looked at some rule relaxations, which might allow a more even distribution of players around the world.
“Most young cricketers in Australia grow up wanting to play for Australia, but I’m sure there would be quite a few who, when they get to about 25 or 26 and realise they probably won’t get a chance to wear the baggy green, would still be happy to play international cricket anywhere. The problem at the moment is that there is a long qualification period and, by the time that’s up, the player and the other country probably lose interest.”
It’s a fascinating idea, certainly, but is this really the solution to bridging the gap between Australia and the rest? There were some fairly catty texts from some of you on my last post, with a suggestion that I was somehow a) angered at Australia’s dominance and b) that I was proposing they are the ones with the problem. Sorry if that’s how it came across. Yes, I am angry by how dominant they are - I am an Englishman, and it pains me to see our arch enemies so far ahead of the pack. But I’m realistic enough to know the onus is on the rest of us to catch up.
My concern with Buchanan’s idea is that it dilutes the very meaning of representing one’s country. We are in an era which allows those with the right parents to play for countries other than those of their birth, and I’m not against that in principle. But I don’t see this as a solution whatsoever. If anything, the madness of his idea says enough about the gravity of the problem.
Tags: australia, bridge, gap, john-buchanan, ned-flanders |
9 Responses to “Buchanan’s revamp”
November 16th, 2007 at 3.42 am
November 16th, 2007 at 4.35 am
No.
Nine’s commentary box has just debated Buchanan’s ideas over the tea break. Madness. Given the ICC’s propensity for madness, I expect this idea to be implemented very soon.
November 16th, 2007 at 6.35 am
In fact, the ICC have already, reportedly, set up a meeting with Bucks.
November 16th, 2007 at 6.40 am
Well, he looked a lot like Shatner in person on the Lilac Hill motorcade.
I’ve heard that Malcolm Speed said that it was quite a good idea, but I hadn’t heard anything about a meeting. They’re already doing the franchise system for the IPL Twenty20, and that’s far enough.
November 16th, 2007 at 8.34 am
Marcus, go to this link about Mali hoping to meet up with Buchanan
http://content.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/320333.html
November 16th, 2007 at 9.27 am
Thanks for that, Steve. Of course, as Ray Mali said cricket can’t remain static, but what Mali also said was right- what Test cricket is about is one country playing another with pride on the line. I really hope that they don’t go through with this.
November 16th, 2007 at 1.38 pm
It could lead to international cricket becoming like the English Premiership - utterly meaningless. We’re halfway there already, with the number of pointless matches being played. If we open the floodgates and let anybody play for any country, then what’s the point in calling the teams ‘England’, ‘Australia’, and ‘India’ any more?
It would be the Canadianisation of international cricket. (Like Scottish rugby.) We’d have so many has-beens, or never-quite-made-its, joining in World Cups for a bit of a giggle. And what message does that send out to players in domestic cricket? No, no, no.
Focus on strengthening domestic cricket around the world.
November 16th, 2007 at 11.30 pm
In fact, Angus, I’m glad that you mentioned the Premiership- because although David Beckham might be allowed to plat for L.A., there’s no way that he’d play for the U.S.A. against England.
November 17th, 2007 at 7.11 am
Buchanan’s plan is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard and I hope that at the very least it stimulates a bit of national pride in other Test playing countries to pull their fingers out.
