(AFP Photo)
Andre Russell of the London Spirit has argued that it’s a lack of interest, rather than financial incentives, driving some top West Indies cricketers away from Test cricket in favor of limited-overs formats.
This comes in the wake of England’s recent 3-0 Test series sweep over the once formidable West Indies, a series during which many leading Caribbean players were focused on their profitable roles in the Hundred competition in English domestic cricket.
All-rounder Andre Russell is among five West Indian cricketers earning the maximum £125,000 ($160,000) in this year’s edition of the competition. He is joined by London Spirit teammate Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran at Northern Superchargers, Rovman Powell at Trent Rockets, and Kieron Pollard at Southern Brave.
While these players are celebrated for their explosive performances in franchise cricket, Pooran, Powell, and Pollard have never played a Test match, and Russell’s lone red-ball appearance was in 2010. Though Cricket West Indies’ financial limitations have traditionally made franchise cricket more appealing, Russell suggests that other factors are influencing why Caribbean players are moving away from first-class cricket.
“I don’t think it’s the money, I don’t think money is the issue,” he told Britain’s PA news agency.
“Based on the amount of T20 and leagues around the world, I think a lot of players are just not interested in playing Tests.”
The 36-year-old added: “I’m always excited watching the other West Indian batters, especially when they’re hitting boundary after boundary.
“As long as you can do well from contracts outside your nation I think they are going to grab that opportunity but everyone wants to play on the big stage.
“So, if the big stage comes in Test cricket, I know youngsters will be happy to play. I just don’t think it’s about money or anything like that.”
Russell, who believes he is not suited for five-day Test cricket, expressed sympathy for the West Indies team that was swept by England in just 10 days of a planned 15-day series.
“Red-ball cricket is not my cookie, I don’t think my body will keep up with Test cricket,” Russell explained. “But those in the team at the moment are fit enough and taking on the challenge.
“They had a few moments in the Test series where they could have turned things around. Playing England at home is always going to be hard for the West Indies.”
