All Out Cricket contributor Chris Knight questions what legacy, if any at all, will be left by the first generation of Twenty20 specialists.
West Indies allrounder Kieron Pollard divides opinion like no other in world cricket. He thrills IPL crowds with his big hitting and is rich beyond his wildest dreams, yet critics are quick to label him a mercenary and the figurehead of a new breed of Twenty20 specialist.
The Twenty20 specialist is an increasingly regular sight in modern cricket, with the likes of Dirk Nannes and Dan Christian making a name for themselves in the cash rich world of the IPL and other domestic competitions. Despite all the riches and adoration of IPL fans for a few months each year, how will they be remembered when their careers draw to a close?
Many brandish them as Twenty20 ‘freelancers’ who prefer to stuff their pockets rather than learning to play the game properly. West Indies bowling legend Michael Holding made his feelings quite clear on the matter: “Kieron Pollard, in my opinion, is not a cricketer.” Meanwhile, Tony Greig claims players like Pollard devalue Test cricket.
Pollard has never represented West Indies at Test level and his struggles on the international stage (an ODI batting average of 21.67 and a T20I average of 12.66) suggest that a call from the Test selectors is some way off for a player who has been pigeonholed as a short-form specialist.
Pollard though has become a millionaire without ever testing himself against international class bowling attacks on a regular basis. The 24-year-old was signed by Mumbai Indians for $750,000 during the 2010 IPL and was retained for a similar fee the following season, and it is hard to begrudge the young Trinidadian – who was raised in the poor area of Tacarigua along with his two sisters by a single mother – for earning such riches.
However, Pollard, who boasts a first-class average of 37.78 and has three first-class hundreds to his name, is aware of how he is perceived and has insisted that his ultimate ambition is to play Test cricket. “I’m pretty much aware of what is being said about me,” he told the Daily Telegraph during the summer. “Most sportsmen say they don’t read the newspapers, but I love cricket, and I read everything.”
Dirk Nannes’ route into the IPL was a much quieter affair as he took what he calls a “business decision” to commit himself to the shortest format of the game. The fast bowler didn’t make his first-class debut until the age of 29 and his decision to only play Twenty20 was enforced by injury, although he says: “I don’t think it’s right for a young player to focus only on T20.”
Australia’s Dan Christian might do well to heed Nannes’ advice, as the 28-year-old is in danger of failing to fulfil his immense potential. Darren Lehmann once described Christian as “one of the most naturally gifted players I have come across,” but a first-class batting average of 28.12 would suggest that something has gone badly awry.
Christian has played just three T20Is for Australia but was nonetheless signed for a massive $900,000 by IPL outfit Deccan Chargers in January. Admittedly, Pollard, Christian and the rest of the Twenty20 specialists are entitled to make as much money as they possibly can from what is a relatively short career as a professional cricketer, but even the riches of the IPL cannot mask unfulfilled talent.
Christian’s compatriot Ricky Ponting has made the most of every inch of talent he has, and even if his career as a Test batsman appears to be on the wane his legacy as a batsman of the highest class will stand the test of time. What legacy Twenty20 specialists leave remains to be seen, but even Pollard acknowledges the need to justify his vast riches by producing the goods in the Test arena, admitting that “Test cricket is always going to be the ultimate; my ambition is to play in all three formats.” While Twenty20 is without doubt the perfect stage to get rich quick, it appears that cricket’s most famous freelancer is well aware that Test cricket is the only place to leave a lasting legacy.
To discuss this article and other talking points with thousands of like-minded cricket fans check out sports forum 606v2.
Click here to read more from Chris Knight.
The Legacy Of A Twenty20 Specialist
All Out Cricket contributor Chris Knight questions what legacy, if any at all, will be left by the first generation of Twenty20 specialists.
West Indies allrounder Kieron Pollard divides opinion like no other in world cricket. He thrills IPL crowds with his big hitting and is rich beyond his wildest dreams, yet critics are quick to label him a mercenary and the figurehead of a new breed of Twenty20 specialist.
The Twenty20 specialist is an increasingly regular sight in modern cricket, with the likes of Dirk Nannes and Dan Christian making a name for themselves in the cash rich world of the IPL and other domestic competitions. Despite all the riches and adoration of IPL fans for a few months each year, how will they be remembered when their careers draw to a close?
Many brandish them as Twenty20 ‘freelancers’ who prefer to stuff their pockets rather than learning to play the game properly. West Indies bowling legend Michael Holding made his feelings quite clear on the matter: “Kieron Pollard, in my opinion, is not a cricketer.” Meanwhile, Tony Greig claims players like Pollard devalue Test cricket.
Pollard has never represented West Indies at Test level and his struggles on the international stage (an ODI batting average of 21.67 and a T20I average of 12.66) suggest that a call from the Test selectors is some way off for a player who has been pigeonholed as a short-form specialist.
Pollard though has become a millionaire without ever testing himself against international class bowling attacks on a regular basis. The 24-year-old was signed by Mumbai Indians for $750,000 during the 2010 IPL and was retained for a similar fee the following season, and it is hard to begrudge the young Trinidadian – who was raised in the poor area of Tacarigua along with his two sisters by a single mother – for earning such riches.
However, Pollard, who boasts a first-class average of 37.78 and has three first-class hundreds to his name, is aware of how he is perceived and has insisted that his ultimate ambition is to play Test cricket. “I’m pretty much aware of what is being said about me,” he told the Daily Telegraph during the summer. “Most sportsmen say they don’t read the newspapers, but I love cricket, and I read everything.”
Dirk Nannes’ route into the IPL was a much quieter affair as he took what he calls a “business decision” to commit himself to the shortest format of the game. The fast bowler didn’t make his first-class debut until the age of 29 and his decision to only play Twenty20 was enforced by injury, although he says: “I don’t think it’s right for a young player to focus only on T20.”
Australia’s Dan Christian might do well to heed Nannes’ advice, as the 28-year-old is in danger of failing to fulfil his immense potential. Darren Lehmann once described Christian as “one of the most naturally gifted players I have come across,” but a first-class batting average of 28.12 would suggest that something has gone badly awry.
Christian has played just three T20Is for Australia but was nonetheless signed for a massive $900,000 by IPL outfit Deccan Chargers in January. Admittedly, Pollard, Christian and the rest of the Twenty20 specialists are entitled to make as much money as they possibly can from what is a relatively short career as a professional cricketer, but even the riches of the IPL cannot mask unfulfilled talent.
Christian’s compatriot Ricky Ponting has made the most of every inch of talent he has, and even if his career as a Test batsman appears to be on the wane his legacy as a batsman of the highest class will stand the test of time. What legacy Twenty20 specialists leave remains to be seen, but even Pollard acknowledges the need to justify his vast riches by producing the goods in the Test arena, admitting that “Test cricket is always going to be the ultimate; my ambition is to play in all three formats.” While Twenty20 is without doubt the perfect stage to get rich quick, it appears that cricket’s most famous freelancer is well aware that Test cricket is the only place to leave a lasting legacy.
To discuss this article and other talking points with thousands of like-minded cricket fans check out sports forum 606v2.
Click here to read more from Chris Knight.