Big stars accept 'market value'

Chris Gayle is the biggest name in the T20 game so eyebrows have naturally been raised by his presence in Zimbabwe’s domestic 20-over competition. Why would the most sought-after name in the game accept an invitation to play in ‘lowly’ Zimbabwe?

And how, for that matter, can the financially embattled ZC administrators justify paying big bucks to Gayle and a couple more established international stars when their own players are still owed match fees from many months ago?

It’s a chicken and egg situation. ZC are growing the game in the country to expand the playing base of quality players and attract more supporters and sponsors. Part of that plan requires an attractive, televised domestic competition in order to give the existing sponsors quality exposure. And that means having big names.

Gayle is already a millionaire many times over and earns five or six times as much for a single game in the IPL than he is being paid for 12 days and a maximum of seven matches in Zimbabwe. Australian fast bowlers Dirk Nannes and Shaun Tait are not nearly as wealthy but still attract fees ten times as high in South Africa’s Pro20 and Australia’s Big Bash than they are being paid in Zimbabwe. So why do it?

“I wasn’t doing anything else in Jamaica and I was getting tired of going to the gym,” laughs Gayle. “I can’t play for the West Indies at the moment so why not come to Zimbabwe? I am a cricketer and I want to play. It’s also a chance to meet new people and hopefully entertain them.”

Tait says the ‘market rate’ for T20 specialists “depends on the market you’re in! If somebody only has a certain amount of money to offer, then you take it or leave it. But it wasn’t about the money for me – personally, I had no choice. I go back years with (MidWest Rhinos coach) Jason Gillespie, so when he called it was only a matter of how soon I could get my bags packed and find a flight. I’d play on the moon for the great man!”

The well-travelled Nannes, too, has philanthropic reasons for playing: “New country, different challenge, new friends… I didn’t give it a second thought. It keeps me playing and keeps me match-fit for the bigger tournaments coming up in South Africa and Australia,” he says.

It is extremely ironic that Tait, for example, gave up test and ODI cricket in order to prolong his career yet, as Nannes says, he could now be playing more than some players with ‘orthodox’ careers.

“If we play in every domestic competition around the world we could be playing or travelling for nine months of the year. I’m 35 now and have a young family so it’s vital that I maximise my opportunities. I must say, however, it’s a good lifestyle if you enjoy travelling and seeing the world.

"It’s not for everyone and I’m one of the traditionalists who believes that test cricket is the ultimate, but that’s not going to happen for me now so I’ll keep going at this for as long as I’m good enough and fit enough to make a contribution – and to be invited,” Nannes says.

Zimbabwe’s players, meanwhile, have the opportunity to learn from the 20 overseas players taking part. The South African trio of Andre Nel, Jon Kent and Shane Burger have already made a big impression at the country’s weakest franchise, the Southern Rocks, while Andrew Hall dominates the strategies of the Mashonaland Eagles. There are also ten English county players including the internationally capped wicketkeeper Phil Mustard. And there’s no reason to resent their salaries, either. They are being paid by sponsors, not ZC.