Champions League T20 – A tournament not worth the name – Opinion - Part 2
The problem therefore, always exists from a neutral’s prospective, who desires to see his local side, the Stallions or Trinidad & Tobago, compete in more matches rather than just the initial two. While there are many permutations to the theory of allowing all-Test playing nations a direct route into the tournament, such a stance can only be fulfilled if the ICC intervenes.
Terming it the ‘ICC Champions League T20’ would certainly offer the tournament added respect, and would ensure some mouthwatering, balanced, contests. Rather than having four IPL teams, that quota could be reduced to two, while a third side could make it to the main draw via qualifying.
As for the other share holders, one team must be allowed a direct passage and the other should go through the hassle of a qualifier. Surely, cricket has changed a lot and rather than ignoring the shortest format, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 must mediate, and maintain their own hold on the sport.
A lot could be taken out from the Football’s Champions League, where teams from the so-called big leagues, English and Spanish, are given added weightage as compared with the other leagues - http://www.senore.com/Cricket/France-c2899 and Dutch. Also good showings on consistent basis are rewarded, and a periodic way is created which offers a somewhat, level playing field.
However, that notion will always coincide with the main agenda for the stake holders who have joined hands simply to create more money. That aspect would easily be covered if one devises a proper working environmenhttp://www.senore.com/Cricket/Thomas-George-Burrows-c93472 but BCCI wouldn’t want too much interference and that is where the major problem lies.
One cannot criticize them as they have the money; they have the resources and certainly have the market to make more. That has been understood by the concerned authorities, the ICC, and the players; but if you try to explain it to a fan, and he will have his own way of saying that it is not a league of Champions.
The English Cricket board is not amongst the biggest admirers of the IPL, and it hardly came as a surprise when they decided to pull out of the subsequent CLT20 events as it clashed with their own domestic schedule. For the betterment of the tournament, as it is surely a spectacle, one must convince the BCCI to reconsider their priorities because had there been no CLT20, the flare of T&T would never be noticed, and the likes of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KA-Pollard-c1754 and Sunil Narine not remotely coming close to becoming stars as they are now fondly known across the globe.
For the tournament’s sake, it is essential to expand it in a way which would not hinder its overall motive but at the same time, also does not overly favour the shareholders. They will make money no matter what, but giving the sport the necessary respect is also what matters.
Surely there could be another http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sunil-Philip-Narine-c91869 in the making, but that format leads little room for an Indian to make a name for himself. Whichever way one looks at it, the major winners will always be the shareholders but it’s time for them to recheck their priorities. T20 is here to stay.
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