Javed Miandad feels IPL responsible for Australia’s current slump
Former Pakistan captain and national coach http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Javed-Miandad-c66580 has held the money-spinning Indian Premier League (IPL) responsible for the stunning collapse of World Champions Australia. Miandad feels that the
top cricketers of the Australian cricket team have been completely sidetracked by the lucrative Twenty20 league.
"I believe Australia's slump has a lot to do with their players' association with the IPL," said Miandad in a leading Pakistani newspaper on Tuesday.
"Most of their top players got a bit too distracted because of the big cash thrown at them by the IPL. They even started ignoring national duty which has really caused their downfall," he added.
The Australians, who had been leading the pack in international cricket till last year and were perceived to be almost unbeatable, faced a devastating mauling at the hands of England in the recently concluded
Ashes series. The mighty Aussies lost the home Ashes series by 1-3, their first Ashes defeat Down Under in the last 24 years. What was more shocking for the hosts was that all the three losses were innings defeats as Australia slipped to fifth place in the
ICC Test rankings.
"All of that has really hurt the Australians, who I am sure would have not slumped like this if their players had resisted the temptation to earn big bucks that was used to lure them by the IPL."
Miandad, who is the Director General of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), is of the view that a few top players of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 - like legendary spinner Shane Warne, renowned pacer Glen McGrath and the prolific
wicketkeeper-batsman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Adam-Gilchrist-c918 - left Test cricket before their time just to be part of the money-spinning Indian Premier League.
Launched in 2008, the IPL was welcomed by cricketers across the world but critics have been warning that the corruption-hit league could taint the traditional formats of the game, Test and ODI.
Miandad is also of the view that the controversial league will spoil the pure forms of cricket.
"It certainly will," said the former http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 coach. "There is too much disparity when it comes to pays and if proper steps are not taken then top players will continue to put this league above international
cricket."
Miandad also advised the international stars, particularly the Australians, to think twice before being ensnared in the ‘cash trap' next time.
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