Ponting fears for future of Tests
Saturday, 14 March 2009
The Australia captain Ricky Ponting has warned of a "really dangerous" future for Test cricket.
"I gave the Bradman Oration last year and I stated that what I want for the next generation of Australians is to do what I've done: play 150 Tests and represent their country for a long time," Ponting told the Wisden Cricketer.
"But something in the back of my head says that their focus could switch from that to being attracted by the glitz and glamour of Twenty20 and the money that might be around."
A survey conducted by the Australian Cricketers' Association found that the majority of centrally-contracted players were not convinced that representing Australia will be the pinnacle of their sport in a decade. The results appeared to confirm Ponting's statements.
Though Ponting had already decided not to turn out for Kolkata Knight Riders in the forthcoming IPL season due to his Australian commitments, many of his team-mates are expected to take part, even as doubts persist over player security and the tournament schedule.
Ponting was also alarmed about the lack of concern shown by the top execuitives of world cricket, who he believed did not understand the impact of player workloads. -Cricinfo
"I gave the Bradman Oration last year and I stated that what I want for the next generation of Australians is to do what I've done: play 150 Tests and represent their country for a long time," Ponting told the Wisden Cricketer.
"But something in the back of my head says that their focus could switch from that to being attracted by the glitz and glamour of Twenty20 and the money that might be around."
A survey conducted by the Australian Cricketers' Association found that the majority of centrally-contracted players were not convinced that representing Australia will be the pinnacle of their sport in a decade. The results appeared to confirm Ponting's statements.
Though Ponting had already decided not to turn out for Kolkata Knight Riders in the forthcoming IPL season due to his Australian commitments, many of his team-mates are expected to take part, even as doubts persist over player security and the tournament schedule.
Ponting was also alarmed about the lack of concern shown by the top execuitives of world cricket, who he believed did not understand the impact of player workloads. -Cricinfo