India is strong because they can tell their players that you don’t play anywhere else. You have to understand that they have the money to back it up,” Sammy told PTI in an exclusive interview on what ails West Indies cricket.
“An India A list contracted player could probably make a million dollar a year (Rs 7 crore plus match fees plus TV rights money) compared to a Windies A lister, who would earn USD 150,000 (Rs 1.2 crore roughly)
That’s a massive difference and obviously the question of pay (disparity) will always come up. It’s very difficult for smaller boards (in terms of financial might) to keep their players together when they are handsomely paid elsewhere,” Sammy said without mincing words while hitting the nail on its head.
A sportsman’s peak period is a short one and it’s no longer an amateur sport where passion was the biggest ration for men in flannels.
Gone are those days when you played for love. Love doesn’t buy you groceries from supermarket,” said Sammy bluntly.
He feels that CWI can learn a thing or two from how New Zealand Cricket has dealt with this dilemma.
So, it’s a tough period. I think NZC does it quite well (no international cricket scheduled during IPL). If NZC can do it, it comes down to communication. It’s upto the players and the boards to get a working system.”
A commitment in a professional relationship demands certain kind of sacrifices.
“If you say, you are committed to me (player to board or vice versa), then some level of sacrifice has to happen. You can’t be committed to me when nothing else is available for you.”
Russell and lack of communication
Players like Andre Russell didn’t take part in the T20 World Cup and one of IPL’s big buys, current skipper Nicholas Pooran, didn’t look half the player he is.
Sammy feels that communication is a two-way street and both Russell and CWI have to come on the same page.
“I think it cuts both ways (referring to the communication gap). But one also needs to show the desire to play. Desire is gauged by action.
“I can say ‘I want to play, I want to play’ but if my actions don’t show that, obviously there will be communication gap,” Sammy said in a message for Russell.
“I don’t know what kind of communication happened among guys like Russell, Fabien Allen and Cricket West Indies but it wasn’t good enough. But then in CPL we have had young players who have outshone Russell and Co,” said the former skipper, who feels that no one is indispensable.
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