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| May 10, 2006 | Wednesday | Rabi-us-Sani 11, 1427 |
Payer burnout issue gains momentum
NEW DELHI, May 9: While temperatures across India continue to soar, the talk of player burnout is also beginning to heat up the world of cricket. Players from across the world seem to be saying same thing --- that there's just too much cricket.
In last month, more and more cricketers across major Test playing nations have been adding their voice to issue of crowded calendars and player burnout.
India played nine Tests and 24 ODIs in last six months; that's 69 days of cricket in a 180 day period.
Pakistan have played eight Tests and 15 ODIs in same duration and are looking ahead to a three-month tour of England.
Australia and England have played 17 and 15 Tests, respectively, since the Ashes last year. That's in addition to one-dayers. For Australia, that translates into 120 days of cricket in a 365 day period.
Too much cricket one would say, but not International Cricket Council. The game's governing body recently increased time frame of Future Tours Programme (FTP) from five to six years. As per new rules, each country has to play 15 Tests and 30 ODIs in a year.
“Fifteen Tests and 30 one dayers makes just 105 days. For any professional, is there any profession that you play 105 days in a year?” said I.S. Bindra, former Indian cricket board president.
Captain Rahul Dravid, might disagree with that. He said in the past this has been most hectic season for him and his team. However, board has an explanation for that.
“He (Dravid) is saying this as there is extra load on him now due to captaincy. We do everything in consultation with players,” said Sharad Pawar, President, BCCI.—Agencies
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