Several cricketers edging towards retirement have been given an extension of life in the game by the proliferation of quickfire Twenty20 leagues in various countries.
It is not impossible to play in four or five domestic leagues each year, with teams prepared to dish out some cash to attract a marquee name or two to get the turnstiles clicking.
Witness the Cape Cobras’ own Herschelle Gibbs, whose recent good form in the Australian Big Bash League no doubt helped secure him contracts in the Bangladesh, Indian and English T20 leagues. And then he is due back at the end of the month to aid the Cobras in the defence of their T20 Challenge title.
Gibbs will turn 38 later this month, and, having kept in good shape, will still help fill stadiums.
In a similar category are players like West Indian Chris Gayle and Australians Dirk Nannes and Brad Hogg, who find it convenient to fit into their schedules the different T20 competitions which typically last a month to six weeks. All three will participate in the South African T20 Challenge in the next few weeks.
All of these assignments generally see the players concerned pocket significant income, but the term T20 mercenaries is perhaps a little unkind. These gypsies are no different to businessmen, lawyers and engineers, who will travel around the world to fulfil various briefs from time to time.
T20 cricket is where the money is, and while the International Cricket Council is now scheduling two- or three-match series in the shortest format, the major competitions are still at domestic level. And, with sponsors prepared to throw money at the concept, and new crowds attracted to the game because it compares well with other forms of entertainment in terms of duration, there is room for more growth.
The shortness of the format suits players whose bodies may be starting to creak more as they hit the mid-30s. Bowlers only have to send down four overs maximum, and batsmen, particularly big boundary-hitters will not find the effort too taxing, even if on occasion they have to bat as long as 20 overs.
Player manager Donne Commins agrees that T20 cricket has come along at an ideal time for players like Gibbs and Gayle.
She offers the view that players might not want to get into the travelling T20 route too early in their careers, though.
“It must have an effect on how they play the other formats. With a player like Herschelle, he was a Test player, then (had an) ODI focus, then T20s,” Commins added.
The proliferation of T20 leagues creates an important extension in terms of players’ earning capabilities, which is always a concern for retiring sportsmen, added Commins.
Older players in the Big Bash league could earn between $90,00 and $250,000 (Australian), while Gibbs’ earnings in Bangladesh are $100,000 and in India $50,000 (both US).
Nannes feels the presence of big-name players from around the world is a boon to up-and-coming local campaigners.
“Bowlers would not normally get the opportunity to bowl to players of Chris Gayle’s calibre and it’s also great for the fans to watch,” the Aussies said recently.
Nannes played 17 T20s for Australia, making his debut in 2009 and still feels he can make a contribution to the team. he does not discount getting into the Australian World T20 squad later this year.
“T20 is all I do as a job,” he said. I’m fortunate enough to be able to play 20-over cricket 10 months of the year now.
“There are not many people who can do that but it keeps me playing, it’s a great job and I’ll keep doing it as long as I can because I love playing cricket.” – Cape Argus