Published: Feb 24, 2017, 03:03 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 24, 2017, 03:03 PM (IST)
Marlon Samuels is the two-time recipient of the Man of the Match in World T20 finals and there is a general notion that he ought to be treated better. Samuels has threatened West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) of accepting a Kolpak deal in county cricket after his exclusion from One-Day side for England series. Samuels has been in a reasonable form in the 50-over format with his last century coming against Australia at Bridgetown.
Samuels missed games in Super 50 competition — West Indies premier domestic List A tournament and that added to the reason behind his exclusion from the ODI side. Samuels preferred played in Pakistan Super League (PSL) instead of Super 50 competition. As per WICB policy, no player will be considered for the international side unless they have made themselves available for regional competition. After his exclusion, Samuels opened up in an interview with SportMax Zone and said, “Why can’t I play some games in the PSL and come back and play against England? I’m not 20. You’re still telling me to miss out on everything. Why can’t you compromise? The rule they have doesn’t make any sense. You have to compromise. Eoin Morgan, the England captain, is playing in the PSL and then he goes to the Caribbean. Why can’t I do the same? Why play hard ball in everything?”
Since his last ODI against Pakistan in UAE in 2015, Samuels has not played any ODI for West Indies and was dropped from Tri-Nation series in Zimbabwe. Samuels looked stunned with WICB decision after the board’s investment on him for his travel to England over his bowling action to be tested. The tour came up with positive response as Samuels was cleared by ICC to bowl in international cricket once again. Reacting to it, Samuels added, “I didn’t pay for my bowling. ICC didn’t pay for my bowling .The West Indies Cricket Board paid for my bowling. So they invested in my bowling for me to come back to bowl against England. Now I’m going to hear that I’ve to stay and play all the Super50 games.”
Further, Samuels revealed about his Kolpak deal and confirmed it by saying, “I’ve got a Kolpak deal on my plate which I’m contemplating. It’s a three-year deal with Derbyshire. Worth probably £120,000-130,000 a year. The money is not the issue at the moment, I’ve been playing international cricket the last 17 years so have set myself the right way. This is about principle, about being loyal. I’ve been a loyal soldier for West Indies cricket and continued to play. I showed some loyalty, so I expect a bit of loyalty. I’m only the one from 2000 still here, sticking round and playing for the West Indies.”
The Caribbean batsman also said that he is no rush of signing Kolpak deal. After PSL, he will travel to Hong Kong to play other matches.
