New Delhi, August 13 (IANS) Veteran West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell says most Caribbean players are just “not interested in playing Test matches” and it has nothing to do with money.
With the influx of T20 franchise cricket around the world, Russell feels red-ball cricket has lost its appeal to young players. Veterans such as Jason Holder, Nicholas Pooran and Kyle Mayers turned down central contracts with West Indies last year but played T20Is. Holder has also played Tests.
Russell, who has only played one Test match in his career so far, said it wasn’t money that led him to turn down the opportunity to play in a Test match.
“I don’t think it’s about money. I don’t think it’s an issue,” the Press Association quoted Russell as saying. “Judging by the number of T20s and leagues around the world, I just don’t think a lot of players are interested in playing Test matches.”
Russell’s comments came after the West Indies’ 3–0 defeat to England, which dropped them to the bottom of the nine-team World Test Championship table. They then drew a test match against South Africa in Port of Spain. They were behind for much of the match, but rain and some bold declarations from South Africa put them in a competitive position, with the game ending before they could have fought their way to victory.
Russell, along with Shimron Hetmyer, Pooran, Rovman Powell and Kieron Pollard, were in The Hundred for the final Test match against England in late July. Despite being among the league’s highest-paid players, they continued to play in The Hundred during the Test matches against South Africa. Pollard, Powell and Pooran have never played a Test match, Russell has only played one Test match in 2010 and Hetmyer, who has played 16 Test matches, last appeared in 2019.
“It’s always exciting to watch other West Indies batsmen, especially when they hit boundary line after boundary line. As long as they can do well on a contract outside their home country, I think they will take that opportunity but everyone wants to play on the big stage,” Russell said.
“So, if a big platform comes up in Test cricket, the youngsters will be happy to play. I just don’t think it’s about money or anything like that,” he added.
The 36-year-old Russell has remained fit to play competitive white-ball cricket over the years despite plagued by injuries, particularly in his legs. After playing a few matches, a knee injury meant he missed the 2019 ODI World Cup. Russell said his body just wasn’t up to the task of Test cricket.
“Red-ball cricket is not my forte and I don’t think my body is up to Test cricket. But the squad is fit enough at the moment and we are up to the challenge. We had several chances in the Test series (against England) to turn things around. Playing England at home was always going to be tough for West Indies,” he concluded.
– Ian
Abu/