West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell said that young cricketers are not interested in playing Test cricket.
He told the Press Association that the rise of franchise leagues showed players were leaning towards the shortest format of the game.
Andre Russell often clashed with the West Indies Cricket Board, choosing to play for a franchise rather than the national team.
Though the West Indies Board is trying its best to rope in the best players, the cricketers are still acting as freelancers to take part in the T20 tournaments.
“I don’t think it’s about money anymore. I don’t think a lot of players are interested in playing Test matches,” he told the Press Association in a recent interview.
West Indies were recently defeated 3-0 by England in the Test series. “I think if players perform well on contracts outside their core contracts for their country, they will take their chances.”
“They all want to play on the big stage and if that comes in Test cricket, the lads will be happy to play. I don’t think it’s about money.”
The West Indies are currently playing a two-Test series against South Africa, with the opening match at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain ending in a draw.