Good god. Did we ever expect this sort of money to be part of cricket? After much debate, Stanford’s expansion from the Caribbean has been confirmed, and England will face an All Stars XI from the West Indies on November 1. The winner will take home $20m:
There were concerns with the winner-takes-all format proposed by Stanford but those seem to have been resolved. A deal will mean that if England win, each of the XI will receive US$1 million, the rest of the squad share US$1 million, and the management team splits another US$1 million. The remaining US$7 million will be shared between the ECB and the West Indies Cricket Board, regardless of the outcome of the match itself.
All of which puts yet more emphasis on this year’s domestic Twenty20 Cup; not only could a good performance loft a player to India for the Champions League, but a life-changing sum of money in the Caribbean a few weeks later. This is monstrous. Bonkers, but monstrous.
An interesting dilemma for the selectors. Do they pick players successful in the Twenty 20 cup, or stick with the One Day team, who can’t press for selection domestically because they play for England?
Cook, Bell and Panesar are amongst those who could miss out, as Vaughan is certain to.
A crazy amount of money for unofficial matches that only feature West Indies and English players. Surely we will get fed up of watching big money games that mean nothing sooner rather than later?
OK, last over, two to win. The number 11 batsman takes a yorker on the boot, pretty adjacent. Ball scoots off to fine leg and they run successfully, twice, in all the commotion.
Good question Eddie.
Another question … what exactly is a West Indies All Stars XI? Surely that would be otherwise known as the “national team”? Or is he trying to entice some players out of retirement for the game?
Indeed, these will surely be little more than exhibition matches between Windies and England. I suppose they at least provide a pressurised environment. If you can bowl a good last over when $1m is at steak, you can do it a world cup match.
I for one am amused at the feeling of general good permeating the English cricket landscape (ECB, players, press, blogs, etc) at this deal.
They are all crowing about as if the money is already in hand. Considering the pathetic state of English limited over cricket (50 or 20), it can be considered a safe bet that the WI team will win.
Not for nothing did england rule the world in the past.After all the posturing about the IPL they go ahead with this bulldust.$20m??
Good consequences:
Kids in england and windies attracted to other sports,lured by the money they would make there could come into cricket.For example , a british kid who has modest footballing skills against good hand-eye coordination as a cricketer could consider playing cricket.
Same goes for the windies.English media might stop cribbing about how the IPL is causing great harm to mankind and how it’s going to be responsible for World War III.20-20 around the world will make the next generation of cricketers better athletes and skill levels will enhance.
Bad and Sad consequences:
Good test cricketers would lose out, which did not and will not happen in the IPL for at least 3 years.IPL rules ensured ‘icon’ status to these players and their money cannot be denied to them. Even if the owner doesn’t want them in the side , he needs to completely pay off the players 3 year fee for which he was auctioned.
Players like Peitersen,flintoff,gayle would’nt like playing in a game that doesn’t guarantee them anything.
Windians are playing in the IPL already , but why would KP not play in somthing that already guarantees you your worth irrespective of how you do.Of course how you do would determine how much you get paid next time’s auction takes place.