The England cricket players have revolted against the ECB ( English Cricket Board) for banning the players from playing in the lucrative and sensational IPL (Indian Premiere League) series in India. The South African born English cricket player, Peterson in particular, was vociferous in denouncing that nobody has any right to prevent the cricket players from embarking on their legitimate opportunity to earn.
The ECB has actually banned the English players from playing in the IPL series on the pretext that by playing in the IPL series, the English players may lose their patriotic fervour. It is absurd because that in the English counties like Somerset, Glamorgon, Sussex, Nottinghamshire etc, players from various countries are participating and still they are loyal to their own countries. Even Peterson who was born in South Africa, has been playing for England and his many a spectacular innings helped England to win matches including the ashes series against the Australia.
While the English players are being banned, players from all countries in the world are playing in IPL series and thereby earning in millions. A cricket player playing in IPL series in six weeks is earning more than what a cricket player is earning in the English counties in six months.
Peterson has also said that IPL series has revolutionized the cricket and a cricketor by playing in the IPL series not only gains experience in the shorter version of the game besides earning considerable money. But the England players stands to lose both. It is well known a cricketor’s career is very short and he can play only up to a particular age, within which he has to earn. Each cricketor has got his own affinity towards his nation and it is absurd to think when he earns more money by playing cricket, he will lose his spirit of nationality.
In fact players from all countries are playing in IPL series and does it mean that those players do not have the spirit of nationality towards their country. ECB should stop thinking with narrow-mindedness and they should permit England players to play in the IPL series with a broad-mindedness.
IPL Chairman Lalithmodi has already been making his best efforts to get the English cricketors involved in the IPL series. Let us hope, they will play in the forthcoming series in the year 2009.