"Those Days Are Fast Approaching To Be Over": McCullum Opines On The 'Shifting Landscape' in Cricket
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Jofra Archer has reportedly been offered a longterm contract by MI [Source: Twitter]
With the ever-growing T20 leagues around the world, the demand for players is on the rise, and the money pouring into the system is immense. Over the past few years, several international stars have opted for freelancing contracts, then national contracts in a bid to play more cash-rich leagues, amidst concerns of declining international cricket.
England's Test coach Brendon McCullum in a recent interview stated that it will be naive for boards or authorities to believe that players could turn down long-term franchise contracts. As reported in the media, Jofra Archer has been offered a year-long contract by Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Mumbai Indians.
Many IPL teams who own franchises in other T20 leagues as well have offered international players long-term deals, which could see them miss out on international matches.
Speaking on SENZ Radio, McCullum said that boards will have to be fluid in their approach and work with both players and leagues in unison.
Here's what McCullum said
"The last few years, there's been a shifting of the sand somewhat around international cricket. We'd be completely naive to think that players would turn down huge amounts of money on longterm contracts for a lot less work in these T20 leagues because they should be playing international cricket. Those days are fast approaching to be over. It's definitely a shifting landscape and you've just got to be fluid.
What you've got to do is you've got to work with these players, you got to work with these leagues and try and allow, ideally, players to have their cake and eat it too because you want your best players playing."
McCullum's immediate international assignment will be the one-off Test against Ireland, before England take on arch-rivals Australia in the all-important The Ashes 2023 starting June 16.
 "Vishal Mehra")
