Domestic and International cricket go hand-in-hand - Part 2 - Opinion
Other cases include traditional powerhouses such as the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 faltering and almost witnessing a dramatic decline since their dominance in the 1980’s. The economic decline in most of the islands such as Saint Kitts and the Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago
and Barbados along with a crippled domestic circuit, were the prime factors which had contributed to the West Indies’ dismal performances on the field. The Carib Beer Four Day competition is an interesting case in point. It was widely regarded as one of the
most competitive leagues in the Caribbean, but failed to live up to much of the hype and expectations associated with it. The players failed to cement themselves as regular fixtures in their respective teams and at the international level as well. The odd
raw talent in the form of a http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746, which has always had a considerable stock of players which can act as long term
replacements, the West Indies have witnessed a dearth of talent due to their poor state of domestic affairs. The inability to transform the domestic game into a professional sport instead of a mere past time by the WICB, is one of quite a few major concerns
that the West Indies has had to deal with. The after effects are visible even today.
The relationship between a powerful domestic circuit and quality performances at the international level is thus, a complex one, which cannot be deduced upon by erudite observers. Sides which have historically banked upon their domestic circuits to uplift
standards at the international level, have been blessed with an array of top quality players at their disposal such as the mighty Australians. Other teams such as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Kumar-Shri-Ranjitsinhji-c71870 Trophy, have benefitted from globalizing
the game with tournaments such as the IPL, granting numerous contracts to players from various franchises. Such tournaments have helped young cricketers play alongside experienced ones, which helps in grooming them for taking on the very best at the international
level. Sadly, not many countries have the financial power that the BCCI boasts about.
The lack of promotion of three and four day contests has also had a bearing on the safe passage of top quality international cricketers. The four day game has sadly been overshadowed by the T20 format of the game which is given more preference in domestic
circuits around the world. Proponents of the T20 format, consider the charged up environment to eventually benefit Test cricket with significant improvements in fielding standards as well as getting adjusted to minimal margin for errors. Yet a lack of five,
four or three day competitions in domestic circuits in many countries has hampered the emergence of genuine Test specialists, who have a penchant for the longer version of the game. Before the advent of T20, countries such as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 used to promote more
domestic four day games to ensure that players become well atoned with Test cricket. It is all about the Standard Bank Pro 20 nowadays.
The debate would continue unabated, but it can be safely said that countries which have had a powerful domestic structure have benefitted from an array of top quality players.
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