Michael Atherton Targets ICC After Their Stance On Cricketing Incidents

Former England skipper Michael Atherton has voiced his concern over the recent string of events that has been happening in the world of cricket both domestic and international. New Zealand backed off from their proposed tour to Pakistan citing security reasons. The tour was called off on the day the first ODI was set to be played in Rawalpindi. The ICC remaining tight-lipped on the matter overall is what has irked the former England skipper.

Earlier this year, the Indian cricket team pulled out from playing the fifth and final Test in Manchester after the Indian support staff tested positive.

“At the same time that the players have become more powerful, so some governing bodies have become weaker. The ICC, the game’s supposedly ultimate powerbroker, has been reduced to an events-organising company,” Atherton wrote in his latest column for thetimes.co.uk.

“It runs its properties well — World Cups, World Test Championships, and the like — but has little standing where the game’s moral issues are concerned and little influence over the game’s direction. The ICC has had an acting chief executive since July,” the veteran stated.

Money In IPL Attracting Players: Michael  Atherton

Meanwhile, the COVID scare entered the IPL bubble, days after the UAE leg started. T Natarajan from Sunrisers Hyderabad tested positive on the day his side were to face Delhi Capitals to resume their IPL season.

Regarding the franchise cricket, Michael Atherton had a totally viewpoint. He said that the money associated in franchise cricket is making players chose to play the format more than anything else.

“Two factors have made the players far more powerful than previously. The first is money, and the way it is distributed, and the second is opportunity. Greater opportunity outside of international cricket, through franchised T20 leagues, means the players hold the whip hand” said Atherton.