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Cricket has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, with the proliferation of T20 leagues around the world. While these leagues have presented a plethora of opportunities for cricketers, they have also brought about significant changes in the international cricketing landscape as players are now faced with decisions that could shape the future of their careers, with franchise cricket offering tempting incentives and lucrative deals.
Mark Wood likely end his ECB contract for ILT20
There are many cricketers who have even started moving towards better deals rather than prioritizing international cricket. The most recent example would be England’s fiery pacer Mark Wood, who hinted at playing in UAE’s ILT20 league after reportedly being offered GPB 500,000 to play in Dubai. He even told the Telegraph that his decision would depend on the England Cricket Board’s (ECB) news central contract that is due for the next month.
Amidst this, England Test captain Ben Stokes recently shared his thoughts on this evolving cricketing landscape and the players’ increasing attraction towards franchise cricket. It is worth mentioning that Stokes was one of the most expensive signings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 and was bought for a whopping 16.25 crore by Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
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Ben Stokes comfortable with players opting for franchise cricket
In a candid conversation with ESPNcricinfo, Stokes discussed the evolving cricketing landscape and the opportunities that franchise cricket brings to both seasoned professionals and young talents. The star England all-rounder emphasized that T20 leagues have not only bolstered the careers of established players but have also served as a source of inspiration for aspiring cricketers, especially youngsters.
Stokes further acknowledged that cricket is not just a sport but a livelihood for many, expressing his understanding of cricketers making decisions that prioritize their future and the security of their families like anyone else. He even stated that he’s comfortable as a captain if something similar happens to him.
“We know now that the whole landscape of cricket is changing. That is great for the individuals who are still within the game but also the guys who are coming through. The opportunities that are presented now for cricketers are amazing, and it’s great for the sport. The more opportunities that come, the more people will be attracted to the sport and trying to make a career out of it. Everyone’s at a different point in their life, not just in their career, where other things have to be thought about by the individual. If a person makes a decision because they think it’s not only best for themselves but also the future and security of their family then it’s very hard to disagree with that,” said Stokes.
“We’ve got to understand, and I’ve got to understand as a captain, that there might be some decisions players make and I’m very comfortable and aware that something like that might happen. But it’s up to the individual and I think having a good and clear understanding that the landscape of cricket is changing in front of our eyes very quickly makes things like this a bit more easy to understand, if players were to choose to do something like that,” he added.
