Cricketers Need To Be Understanding In A “Changing Landscape,” Says Ben Stokes

According to Ben Stokes, “the landscape of cricket is changing in front of our eyes” and he has called for empathy for players who choose to maximize their earning potential at the price of international service.

Mark Wood, an England pacer, has shown reluctance to sign a new central contract as he considers making money playing Twenty20 franchise cricket.

Wood has committed to playing in the International League T20, which gets off in the United Arab Emirates on January 13 and might cause him to miss the first three Tests of a five-match series that begins 12 days later in India.

There are “more things in play than just my love of playing” international cricket, the 33-year-old said, adding that playing in both was “not a viable option for England.”

Opening batsman Jason Roy quit his contract with England earlier this year to play in the US Major League Cricket, but he is now a member of their preliminary team for the 50-over World Cup, which begins in India next month.

With only a few weeks of labor instead of the arduous schedule of touring, players may make enormous amounts in T20 leagues throughout the world that surpass what they make for their nation.

Offering multi-year contracts gives England more control over its players, who in turn have more stability, helping to fend off T20 franchises and counteract the club versus country dispute.

Speaking on the eve of a four-match one-day international (ODI) series against New Zealand, England Test captain Ben Stokes said it was important to be aware of all the variables in play.

“Everyone’s at a different point in their life, not just in their career, where other things have to be thought about by the individual,” he said.

It is extremely difficult to argue with someone who makes a choice out of concern for their family’s future and safety in addition to their own.

It depends on the person, he said. Things like these are easier to appreciate, in my opinion, if you have a strong sense of how swiftly the cricket environment is changing in front of our eyes.

The opportunity for cricketers to play was “great for the sport,” according to Stokes, who postponed his ODI retirement in time for England’s 50-over World Cup title defense.

More individuals would be drawn to the sport and want to make a profession out of it as more chances become available, he said.