There is more money in the game now and not just a little more, tons more. Choices choices choices!!! It is an interesting time but also a very delicate time as those who are faced with choices right now would not want to go down the wrong road and lose out.

The ICC schedule pits nation against nation in test matches and One Day Internationals and for me that remains the pinnacle point.

Just recently there was a fabulous series between the number one ranked Australians against India and that had its fair share of dramas. The most interesting thing of all for me though was that it seems as if the Aussies are no longer as invincible as say two years ago and, in fact, there are some cracks appearing or chinks in the armour.

India showed themselves to be up for their challenge and pretty much gave an example to other nations how to tackle the champs.

Will other countries take confidence from this? The answer should be yes. The Indian side that travelled down under for the test series was a seasoned one that had had at least a couple of goes at them and failed somewhat. This time, they managed. Well done to them.

South Africa go to Australia in a few months' time and I reckon this will be their best chance since 1993 to win over there. How are they going to do it though? It will take a lot of planning and also a bit of luck. The luck bit is to do with all players being available and not sidelined due to injury.

Who the best side in the world is, may be a closely contested thing in the not so distant future. It very much looks as if things are headed that way. A sustained run by South Africa means they are in contention but the Indians will take great heart from their trip and that will spur them on no end. Sri Lanka and England continually struggle away from home so I say it is between Australia, India and South Africa.

There is still a way to go for that though.

Retirement has hit the Aussies hard and they still are not quite done shedding the players that have reached that age. Think of those that have recently gone; Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Justin Langer, Damien Martyn, Adam Gilchrist, Brad Hogg. It is very much like a whole team has left at one time.

If you just try and think how they are going to replace Matthew Hayden when he goes…..well, how? They also need to find another spinner for their one day team. Stuart McGill, who is their test spinner, is about the same age as Hayden, how long can he go on?

We shall just have to wait and see how they come out of this phase.

The issue of players getting to the age of retirement is not so much the issue for other countries except maybe India with Tendulkar, Ganguly, Dravid, Laxman and Kumble being of similar ages. It is very much about the lure of money.

There is the IPL which is yet to start but has already kicked up a storm with the cash available to players. There is also the ICL, which is not sanctioned by the ICC as the BCCI does not recognise it.

Both these tournaments are very keen to have international players in their set-up so as to attract big crowds at the stadiums and also a large television audience. Players may view these Indian events as final pay cheques.

It therefore follows that if you do well in your internationals, you may benefit by being in contention and also your price going up. It would help no end to do well against India so a tour of India becomes a must for anyone harbouring hopes of being involved.

How successful these tournaments are may lead to the age of retirement from international cricket being reduced. That is unless the remuneration for playing for one’s country gets a lot closer to what it is to play in these leagues.

Chris Cairns, the former New Zealand allrounder, made the point in the press that for many cricketers it is a no-brainer at the moment as the discrepancy is so vast.

Moral of the story; boards will lose the older players at some point or other. However, those that put an emphasis on ensuring their youngsters in the domestic structure are well groomed at the right standard may feel the effects of the loss just a little less.

It shall be harder and harder to hold on to the older guys because it may not be worth their while anymore to play on.

What we may begin to hear is; ‘I want to continue to play but SHOW ME THE MONEY!’

I hope not…….


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