West Indies Players set to miss Big Bash

[BallOil]

THIS summer's Big Bash will be largely devoid of high-profile international imports - including Kieron Pollard and Chris Gayle - because of other countries' conflicting tours and tournaments.

The ability of West Indians Gayle and Kemar Roach (Western Australia) and Pollard (South Australia) to fully honour their Australia contracts is unlikely because of the West Indies' decision to shift its domestic Twenty20 tournament from July to January. The exact dates of the Caribbean Twenty20 tournament are yet to be finalised, although it will be longer than 10 days, as it was for this year's tournament.

The main complicating factor for West Indies players wanting to play in the Big Bash is that they are contractually bound to play in their domestic Twenty20 tournament in order to be considered for the national Twenty20 team. All three of their players planning to play in Australia - captain Gayle, Roach and Pollard are regulars in the West Indian Twenty20 team, as is all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, who played for Victoria last year and is keen to return.

West Indies Cricket Board spokesman Imran Khan said its players would not be prevented from playing in a small portion of the Big Bash if it came before the start of the Caribbean Twenty20, ''provided that their territorial teams do not require them to be in participate in any preparatory camps''.

Source: The Age

These Players could lose big money due to the conflict with the Caribbean T20. Will any of the players opt out to play Big Bash and Cash in or settle for pennies?

[POINT]

In my opinion , both the WICB & other International Cricket Boards etc , should sort out their schedules so that there is a minimum of conflicts , so that the Players arent unduly prevented from fattening their Bank Accounts . WE must remember that the Life span of Cricketers is comparatively short . They also dont get pensions .

The fact is that THE STANDARD OF CRICKET IN THE REGION IS SO LOW THAT ANY EXPOSURE THAT OUR PLAYERS GET IN PLAYING OVERSEAS , SHOULD ULTIMATELY BENEFIT THE PLAYERS WHEN THEY REPRESENT THE WEST INDIES .

In the days when our Players were plying their trade in England , it wasnt mandatory that they had to play in the Regional Tournaments , if that coincided with their obligations in England . My view is that since the standard of Cricket in the Region is low , then the WICB should be more inclined to play second fiddle , regarding accommodating the Players .

However there is so much acrimony between the WICB & WIPA , that this may not happen , because the Emperors in the WICB seem not to like the idea that our Players , including those who they deem to be illiterate , earning more money than them . Hell , but that's Life . Teachers teach students every day , and then these students become Doctors Lawyers etc , and are earning a lot more money than their Teachers .

[BallOil]

In my opinion , both the WICB & other International Cricket Boards etc , should sort out their schedules so that there is a minimum of conflicts , so that the Players arent unduly prevented from fattening their Bank Accounts . WE must remember that the Life span of Cricketers is comparatively short . They also dont get pensions .

Agreed! Let them make hay while the sun shines. The players should have the freedom to play anywhere. After all they playing cricket so they are not skipping the regionals for no reason.

What type of pension the retired players are getting?

The fact is that THE STANDARD OF CRICKET IN THE REGION IS SO LOW THAT ANY EXPOSURE THAT OUR PLAYERS GET IN PLAYING OVERSEAS , SHOULD ULTIMATELY BENEFIT THE PLAYERS WHEN THEY REPRESENT THE WEST INDIES .

Spot on...let them get the experience where possible. Plus they will be playing at a higher level .

[mikesiva]

I find it hard to fault the WICB on this one....

The Champions League asked the WICB to bring their 20/20 domestic tournament forward, because July was too late to choose a winner for the CL to promote in their marketing. So, the WICB brought the tournament forward to January, before the domestic four-day regional tournament starts.

I'm sure that Gayle, Pollard, Bravo and Roach will play some of the Big Bash, if not all of it....