Stokes: I’m comfy with gamers selecting franchises over England
T
est captain Ben Stokes says England should be ready for the opportunity of key gamers placing franchise riches forward of worldwide responsibility, after Mark Wood admitted he might flip down a central contract.
Wood is anticipated to be one in all a number of gamers supplied a multi-year deal within the subsequent spherical of contracts later this yr because the ECB look to stave off the specter of home T20 leagues, however in an interview with The Telegraph, the 33-year-old admitted there are “more things in play than just solely my love of playing for England” as he approaches the ultimate years of his profession.
The quick bowler is already dealing with a possible battle within the New Year, having been supplied a reported £500,000 to play within the UAE T20 League. Were Wood to play that competitors in full, he would miss the primary three matches of England’s five-Test tour of India.
The fast’s absence can be a significant blow to England’s hopes of turning into the primary aspect to win in India in additional than a decade, however Stokes is sensible concerning the prospect of such availability points turning into commonplace.
“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,” he mentioned. “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.
“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.”
Stokes was talking forward of his return to England’s 50-over aspect for the First ODI towards New Zealand on Friday, the 32-year-old having come out of retirement to help the World Cup defence in India subsequent month.
England’s provisional World Cup squad options 9 of the gamers who lifted the trophy in 2019, together with opening batter Jason Roy, who earlier this yr minimize brief his incremental central contract with a view to be freed to play in Major League Cricket, the USA’s new T20 franchise league, in a telling signal of the occasions.
“We know now that the whole landscape of cricket is changing,” Stokes added. “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.”