Shane Warne offers brutal reality for Aussie cricket stars
Aussie greats Shane Warne and Mark Waugh have let it known that Australian stars should pay a selection penalty if they choose to play franchise cricket over representing their country.
The IPL was suspended last month after several players and backroom staff tested positive for Covid-19, but the Indian Cricket board plans to complete the lucrative tournament in the United Arab Emirates in September and October.
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Pat Cummins, David Warner and Glenn Maxwell were among seven players with IPL contracts who have decided not to go on back-to-back tours of the Caribbean and Bangladesh in July and August for Australia.
While Steve Smith will miss the trips through injury.
The decision has created a talking point in the cricket world.
Speaking on the Fox Cricket's Road to the Ashes podcast, a number of cricket greats agreed the players must now be behind in the pecking order when it comes to selection for the white ball tours.
“Surely they can’t be playing in that tournament come September now,” Brendon Julian said on the podcast:
In response, Waugh agreed, saying: “I know it’s tough with bubbles and multiple players doing quarantine throughout the year.
Warne said he wouldn't hold it against a player for choosing to earn money during the current climate.
But he also agreed, it should hurt their chances when it comes to selection.
“It’s fantastic and if they want to take the money, take the money,” he said.
“But if you want to play cricket for your country and you choose IPL over your country well then maybe you have to be punished a little bit for doing it. Not punished, that’s the wrong word.
“If you want to choose the money for IPL that’s fine no problem, but you might
have to wait a few Test matches and you might go down a few rungs no matter how good you are. There’s always someone that can replace you.’’
Vaughan hits out at poor precedent
Former England captain Michael Vaughan said national cricket boards need to set a tougher standard for the players.
Vaughan pointed to the recent move from the England Cricket Board (ECB) when they reportedly told its stars they could stay and play in the IPL, rather than compete against New Zealand at Lord's.
"I think the seed has been sewn for a few years,” Vaughan said.
“England just recently were going to allow players to stay in the IPL rather than play New Zealand at Lord’s. They weren’t in the Future Tours program, but I think they’ve set a precedent there.
“Cricket has got to be very, very careful. I do think it’s down to the boards to be stronger with the players and, if they want international cricket in 20 to 30 years to still be the pinnacle ... they’ve got to be stronger with players to not allow the franchises to take them.”
Australian ODI captain Aaron Finch recently weighed-in on the number of players opting to miss the tours.
Finch, who did not play in the IPL, said the players who had decided not to go on tour might find their places in the squad for the T20 World Cup under threat from their replacements.
"The guys who aren't there have probably left the door slightly ajar," Finch added.
"What that looks like when the T20 World Cup comes around, we'll have to wait and see."
with AAP
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