Ever since Kerry Packer revolutionized the game in the late nineteen seventies, money in the game of cricket has kept rolling in. Until Packer came along

professional players were being paid meager sums of money for their efforts. Full time cricketers existed only in England. Even there, most would secure part time jobs in the winter. The Australians, Indians, Pakistani’s and New Zealanders all had to negotiate with their employers to stay in the game. This caused many to retire early, as they had to think of their careers and desert the sport they loved for lack of adequate finances.

In the past twenty five years that has changed gradually. TV coverage and sponsors have come to the party and today the game is talking of big money. The most recent of such financial bonanzas is the Stanford Twenty 20 match between England and the West Indian All Stars which was played yesterday. The money on offer was twenty million US Dollars. The winning team players receiving a staggering one million dollars each, for a few hours of work!

Sir Allen Stanford, a British oil rich billionaire, residing in Texas, started T20 cricket a few years back in Antigua, sponsoring the inter-island tournament. He has got the taste to go even further. Now this event, the biggest quantum of money dealt out for a single game of cricket. The game was taken so seriously that the All Stars West Indian team, were not released for a rushed tour to Pakistan, to fill the void of the Champions Trophy not being conducted. Those players had to train together for this event.

Most often non ICC conducted events do run into trouble. Here, the official sponsors of West Indian cricket “Digicel” nearly drove a spoke into the wheel. They pay the WI Cricket Board four million US Dollars an year as team sponsors. Digicel went to court on three issues. The Digicel logo to adorn the All Stars players clothing, that no other telecom company (Cable or Wireless) would be associated with the series and all their legal costs be met by Stanford. Billionaire Stanford agreed to meet the second and third demands, but refused to adhere to the first. After three weeks of deliberation the court ruled the first demand in favor of Digicel. Stanford lost out on the case but was granted to get on with the cricket.
There was a weeks’ entertainment prior to the big day. Teams from Middlesex and Trinidad also played a series of games. All very good provided it does not clash with commitments and jade the players with too much strain. International players have in the recent years complained of too much cricket. In fact M.S. Dhoni pulled out of touring Sri Lanka for the test matches recently, citing tiredness.

International players have in the recent years complained of too much cricket. In fact M.S. Dhoni pulled out of touring Sri Lanka for the test matches recently, citing tiredness.

Details have now emerged of Stanford’s next move. It will be a quadrangular tournament involving four nations prior to the T20 World Cup which commences on June 5, next year. England and the West Indies have already been drawn to play. The ECB will interview more teams. They should not have much difficulty in doing that as most countries would like to get some good practice ahead of the big event.
On the topic of disputes, the disagreement between players and SLC with the West Indies, to play in a test and ODI series replacing Sri Lanka. The players will have their wish to play in the IPL. Once again it is the money that has been the influence. Had the venture not been as lucrative, there is every possibility the players’ decision may have been different.

All of this money in the game is a definite encouragement to youngsters taking up the game. Cricket requires a special talent and it must be in the blood. With hard work a lesser talented individual can outdo someone more talented. Talent is a requirement. Often parents do not encourage their children to sacrifice studies to play cricket. Feeling that for their own good, a stable career in a proven field is the way to go.

That has changed in all the major cricket playing nations. Even first class players can go on for longer because there are avenues to earn sufficient and build a career and meet with the demands of life. To give your best shot is now certainly worth the while.

Not only has the money pouring in helped the players, it has also opened doors for all those associated with the game. There are many administrative jobs at different levels, starting from the ICC going down to domestic clubs. Coaches, team managers, umpires, match referees, commentators, groundsmen, scorers, the list goes on of those who survive as a result of the money in the game. All of this means that there must be clever individuals at the helm of the governing bodies. Individuals who are far sighted and always having the view and aim of developing the game. Individuals whose personal relationship skills, makes them successful in dealing with a host of people and organizations around the globe. Sri Lankans involved with the sport must consider themselves fortunate to be around in this era. We must thank all those who went before us for laying the foundations, by spending their time, energy and money, simply for the love of the game.

It can be anticipated for this situation to get better. All those who want to be part of this great game can march forward and be willing to give of their very best. The rewards are worth it all.

= Ranil Abeynaike is a former
Sri Lanka cricketer and curator of SSC