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The ICC faces a serious challenge in putting a financially viable balance between the thriving T20 leagues and international cricket over the following decade, says famend coach Andy Flower.
He additionally feels it is necessary for stars likes Virat Kohli to maintain “talking up” the five-day format.
Led by the BCCI-backed IPL, most ICC full members have their very own T20 product and the fast progress of franchise-based cricket has put extra stress on the international cricket calendar and its viability, leaving the large three — India, Australia and England — apart.
Speaking from Dubai, Flower, who’s making his IPL debut as Kings XI Punjab assistant coach this season, mentioned the current collection in England confirmed curiosity in Test cricket stays however the format must be managed properly alongside the T20 growth.
“It is a serious challenge for the ICC to make a fine balance between viable international cricket and the burgeoning franchise world. That is going to be interesting to watch over the coming decade.
“I still think there is huge interest, primarily in three nations (India, England, Australia), in Test cricket. We have had two good series in England without spectators, as a TV product, the five-day format offers a lot to the broadcaster.
“There is also interest among players to play Test cricket. The ICC has to manage all of that wisely,” the previous Zimbabwe captain instructed PTI.
Flower, who’s now exploring the world of T20 leagues after 12 years in England cricket set-up, believes main gamers like Kohli have a task to play in lifting the profile of the five-day recreation.
The Indian captain has expressed his love for Test cricket on many events, saying “nothing comes close to it”.
“My personal opinion is that there is space and time and interest in all three formats to make them viable and successful. Players like Kohli talking up the Test game is a very important part of it.
“I am sure he said that from a genuine perspective and realisation that it is the most difficult challenge for a professional cricketer. That recognition is nice to hear,” mentioned the coach who guided England to uncommon Test collection wins in Australia (2010-11 Ashes) and India (2012-13).
He was additionally in cost when England received their maiden ICC trophy — the World T20 — in 2010.
While the mushrooming T20 leagues have supplied gamers and coaches a possibility to earn an honest residing, Flower feels it has additionally enhanced their data concerning the recreation.
“Coaching is a fairly new profession in cricket. There might have been the odd coach, who were called the managers back in the 80s. “
Then, in the 90s, coaching started developing into something more serious, and now with the expansion of franchise based tournaments around the world, it has given broader scope of opportunities for coaches to earn a living and broaden their experiences.”
On his evolution as a coach, he mentioned: “I started coaching when I was in my early 20s and even when I was playing for Zimbabwe, initially we weren’t paid as players, we (including Grand Flower, Alistair Campbell and David Houghton) were paid as coaches.
“What I have learnt as a coach is to put the person first, ahead of the player, ahead of the competitor and work with that person. I have learnt that through making mistakes along the way.
“The most important thing is dealing with the person but data has also become a prominent part of evaluating the game,” mentioned Flower, backing the usage of information to bust “some of the myths” of the sport.
The South Africa-born cricketer-turned-coach couldn’t be a part of KXIP’s preparations from the get go as he was occupied with the Caribbean Premier League.
The IPL is being held in a strict bio-secure atmosphere and Flower mentioned staying in it for 2 months is a challenge for the gamers in addition to the assist workers.
“It is a mental challenge for everyone (in the bubble). Some people will deal with comfortably, some won’t. As a leadership group, it is important to recognise those challenges and the different ways in which individuals will respond.
“You got to make sure the the lines of communications are always open to so that people can talk about how they are feeling and there are outlets for them to discuss their issues, just making sure that we are placing priority on people’s well being,” he added.
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