I think we maybe sanction less of these leagues and prioritise the really good ones like the IPL: Tim Paine [Exclusive]

Tim Paine. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

The T20 franchise leagues are mushrooming all over the world and the players are flocking towards the cash-rich leagues with some even neglecting international cricket. Quinton de Kock is one such player who retired early from the Test and ODI cricket arenas and is seen playing T20Is and franchise leagues. Former Australia cricketers, Tim Paine and Shaun Marsh speaking exclusively with CricTracker opined on the surge of such players towards these leagues.

The Indian Premier League is the richest league in the world followed by the ILT20 with Big Bash League and SA20 also being among the richest ones. Thanks to these tournaments, cricket remains the center of attention throughout the year. Several pundits have also lauded the trend as the left-out cricketers get the opportunity to stay alive within the game due to such tournaments.

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“You know, I like it. I think the more options players have got to make money, the better. I think we maybe sanction less of these leagues and prioritise the really good ones like the IPL. Somehow the ICC can sort of work that out and sanction what’s important and what’s not,” said Paine.

Marsh echoed similar views and stressed upon protecting Test cricket. He expressed happiness over the fact that cricketers of the current generation have plethora of options to ply their trade even if they are not playing international cricket.

“I think, as long as the ICC make sure that they really protect Test cricket, you want that to be in the forefront of every cricketer’s mind and you want Test cricket to be healthy. But I love the fact that players have options now and lots of them. When I first started playing, T20 cricket wasn’t around and there wasn’t a hell of a lot of cricket if you weren’t playing international cricket. So to have the options now that players have is fantastic,” Marsh added.

Here’s the video of Paine, Marsh’s conversation:

India, Australia clash in semifinal 2 of WCL 2024

Both players are in the UK for the World Championship of Legends 2024 tournament where former cricketers from six countries are vying for glory with their respective teams. West Indies, Pakistan, India, and Australia have made it to the playoffs as South Africa and England failed to make it. Australia will be in a tussle with India in the semifinal 2.

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