Experienced Australian opener Usman Khawaja clarified that he would opt for T20s over Test cricket if offered a significant amount of money for the shorter format.
The discussion on Tests versus T20s is a component of the broader national team versus franchise debate, a topic that has gained prominence following recent actions by Cricket South Africa (CSA).
In an effort to preserve their top players for SA20, they selected a squad with many rookies for the two-Test tour of New Zealand. The CSA revealed a 14-man squad, featuring just seven players with international experience, and Neil Brand, who hasn’t played a Test match, has been assigned the captaincy.
In a Tuesday interview with reporters, Khawaja noted that it’s common for individuals to opt for the path that offers better financial rewards. As reported by The Sydney Morning Herald, he stated:
“If I was a player from another nation and getting paid ok to play international cricket, I’m getting paid a truckload more to play T20 cricket, I’m sorry but I’m going to be playing the T20 cricket.”
“Not because it doesn’t mean anything – I love playing for my country, but it is also a case of looking after your family, doing things right.”
He continued:
“If two people get paid to do the same job and you’re getting paid twice as much at one firm and half at the other firm, you’re going to pick the one you’re getting paid [more] for.”
Ex-Australian captain Steve Waugh condemned CSA, alleging their lack of concern for Test cricket. He also remarked that he wouldn’t participate in the two-Test series against the Proteas if he were representing New Zealand.
“It would be wonderful to observe the financial situations of all the cricket boards”- Usman Khwaja
Khawaja emphasized the importance of global cricket providing financial assistance to weaker member boards in times of financial deficits, providing further details:
“It would be just great to see all the boards and where their finances are at. Are they struggling, is the money going into the right places, is it going back to the players.”
”We’ve got to figure out a way for them [other countries] to be incentivised to play international and particularly Test cricket.”
He concluded:
“Once you can get on top of that, if you see a massive shortfall for say the Windies, they’re struggling, they’re not bringing in enough money, then world cricket needs to gather round to help.”
The left-handed player will be playing in the third Test between Australia and Pakistan, which starts on Wednesday, January 3rd.
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