BANGALORE: Amidst the English countryside murmurs of money tainting cricketers, especially in the wake of Adam Stanford’s financial irregularities as well as Kevin Pietersen’s and Andrew Flintoff’s lucrative deals in the Indian Premier League, Graham Gooch offered a voice of reason.
In town as part of an Essex County Council business delegation scouting for investment partners from India, the former England captain said: “Players have short careers and they need to make their money. In England, football, golf and tennis players make a lot of money but no one makes a fuss about that.
“The IPL, besides the money, has also enhanced skill-sets and in England we are planning an English Premier League Twenty20 next year and we hope to rope in Indian sponsors and players.”
As a player, Gooch himself struggled with the ‘Money vs Nation’ argument.
“In 1982, I went to South Africa. I thought there was nothing wrong in going to South Africa as I was just plying my trade as a sportsman and in no way was I supporting apartheid but we were banned for three years.
“I took it in my stride and came back,” Gooch said.
Gooch said that the dilemma over Andrew Flintoff’s injuries and the IPL should be resolved soon. “Flintoff is a key player for England and he has signed up for the Chennai Super Kings. It is up to him and the concerned doctors and physios to decide whether he can fulfil both his IPL as well as England commitments.
“He has had a history of injuries but I don’t think the latest one (hip injury) will pull him back much. I just hope this is sorted out soon amicably,” Gooch said while adding that the Stanford scam came as a shock.
“The ECB authorities did due diligence and the papers were in order. It has come as a shock. In life you never know,” Gooch said.
Gooch expressed surprise over England’s below-par show so far in the West Indies.
“England is a better side and they should be beating West Indies. The team also needs a stable environment after the Pietersen-Peter Moores fallout and it is up to Andrew Strauss to ensure that the team is pulling in the right direction,” Gooch said.
Gooch also effusively praised Indian cricket’s progress.
“M.S. Dhoni has a presence and India is a form team at the moment and I would be surprised if they don’t fancy their chances of becoming the number one,” Gooch said before leaving for the business summit that also hopes to draw in investors to upgrade his home ground at Chelmsford.
Source: hindu.com
In town as part of an Essex County Council business delegation scouting for investment partners from India, the former England captain said: “Players have short careers and they need to make their money. In England, football, golf and tennis players make a lot of money but no one makes a fuss about that.
“The IPL, besides the money, has also enhanced skill-sets and in England we are planning an English Premier League Twenty20 next year and we hope to rope in Indian sponsors and players.”
As a player, Gooch himself struggled with the ‘Money vs Nation’ argument.
“In 1982, I went to South Africa. I thought there was nothing wrong in going to South Africa as I was just plying my trade as a sportsman and in no way was I supporting apartheid but we were banned for three years.
“I took it in my stride and came back,” Gooch said.
Gooch said that the dilemma over Andrew Flintoff’s injuries and the IPL should be resolved soon. “Flintoff is a key player for England and he has signed up for the Chennai Super Kings. It is up to him and the concerned doctors and physios to decide whether he can fulfil both his IPL as well as England commitments.
“He has had a history of injuries but I don’t think the latest one (hip injury) will pull him back much. I just hope this is sorted out soon amicably,” Gooch said while adding that the Stanford scam came as a shock.
“The ECB authorities did due diligence and the papers were in order. It has come as a shock. In life you never know,” Gooch said.
Gooch expressed surprise over England’s below-par show so far in the West Indies.
“England is a better side and they should be beating West Indies. The team also needs a stable environment after the Pietersen-Peter Moores fallout and it is up to Andrew Strauss to ensure that the team is pulling in the right direction,” Gooch said.
Gooch also effusively praised Indian cricket’s progress.
“M.S. Dhoni has a presence and India is a form team at the moment and I would be surprised if they don’t fancy their chances of becoming the number one,” Gooch said before leaving for the business summit that also hopes to draw in investors to upgrade his home ground at Chelmsford.
Source: hindu.com
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