Dear Editor,
Presumably, selection criteria other than realistic potential performance, had rational objectives, that likely were the improvement of performance over the long run, and attitudinal changes in both veterans and up and coming players with respect to remuneration.
With due respect to the board members, those objectives were not attainable for the reasons that ordinary people will not, indeed, in most cases, cannot, reject an offer to play cricket for six weeks in a foreign country, for say, $200,000.00, in order to remain eligible to be able to accept a likely offer to play at home for twelve months for, say, $60,000.00, and the only players who would be available are those who do not receive such foreign offers.
Indeed, it seems quite clear that it would have been much wiser, especially when those high paying contracts were offered in as many as three or more countries, to have concentrated energy and expended more resources on persuading the ICC and other countries in their own interests to schedule domestic professional tournaments in a manner that would not conflict with international tournaments.
That is, however, water under the bridge, as it appears that the ICC, at any rate, has awakened from its slumber and decided to rationalize scheduling going forward.
Since many of our relatively successful cricketers, by which I mean, players who have scored centuries, taken lots of wickets in international cricket and are known as magnificent fielders, may be nearing the end of their careers, would it not be wonderful if a few of the youngsters whose places are secure on the team, would express to the board a desire to play some of the up-coming games alongside some of those senior players.
I am sure some legends will be willing to join the youngsters in petitioning the board to take such a step immediately. There is no downside to this suggestion, and as is well known a blend of youth and experience always makes for a better team.
Yours faithfully,
Romain Pitt
