Published: Aug 26, 2016, 06:04 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 26, 2016, 06:04 PM (IST)
The game of cricket has evolved a lot in the last decade or so, with Twenty20 (T20) franchise cricket firmly establishing its feet. As a result, many youngsters are getting early, sometimes premature, exposure to the top-level cricket. Add to it the mind-boggling amount of money they are earning, and the situation is becoming worse for such cricketers.
The easy monies and premature fame that they are getting through popular Twenty20 leagues are spoiling fast bowlers across the world as they stop working hard after initial success, former Australian pacer and an all-time great Glenn McGrath feels. The fast bowling legend, who is the director at MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai, recently expressed his views while talking to PTI. ALSO READ: Glenn McGrath on Jasprit Bumrah, ICC World T20, Shane Warne-Steve Waugh episode and more.
“Biggest issue which I find, probably not just in India, probably around the world is how hard they are prepared to work. And if they do get little bit of success playing in IPL or big bash in Australia is that they get to that level and they think they have made it and they stop working hard and they stop training as much,” McGrath said after a coaching clinic for Under-23 pacers at PCA stadium in Mohali.
“Young bowlers have to be prepared to work hard and then work even harder to stay there, there are no easy options or short cuts. Sometimes, I see young cricketers reach a certain standard, all of a sudden they get paid good money and they stop work. I think money should always be secondary. It’s great that cricketers are earning good money. But if money is secondary and it’s all about going out there, performing at their best and keeping themselves in best condition. Then that money will be there all the time. And I think that’s the attitude young cricketers should have. Ultimate goal should always be representing your country,” opined McGrath.
Plenty of former cricketers have expressed their concern on the T20 leagues mushrooming around the world and its side-effects on international cricket. With McGrath too voicing his concern, it becomes interesting how the administrators react to this situation.
