"It's a heck of a challenge. The modern cricketer is
challenged more than any other generation before with the different formats and
the adaptability required to go across the formats. I think it will be very
hard for most cricketers to play all three formats. It is a real challenge for
young cricketers to try to develop their game to be chopping and changing so
much and playing so much T20 cricket early on. What it requires to be a good
hitter is very different to what it requires to be a good batter." The
above are the words of former Australian captain Greg Chappell who, as Cricket
Australia’s talent manager, is tasked with ensuring the future of the game ‘is
in good hands’.
 | |
| Nicolas Pooran |
I came across this article
a few hours after I finally decided to comment on an issue that has been on my
mind for a long time and which became foremost in my thoughts during the second
game of the Caribbean Premier League on July 31. Back then I asked some
colleagues why was 17-year-old Nicolas Pooran turning out for the Red Steel
instead of representing Trinidad and Tobago in the Under-19 tournament taking
place simultaneously in St. Kitts. One response was that the CPL would be good
exposure for the youngster. Pooran
proceeded to unleash a barrage of breathtaking strokes on his way to a 24-ball
54 that belied his years. Thanks to television I, and viewers around the globe,
caught a glimpse of the left-hander’s undoubted talent, a talent which needs to
be channeled very carefully.
The regional selectors obviously think highly of
Pooran, enough to reserve a place for him on the West Indies Under-19 against
their Bangladeshi counterparts even though he missed the St. Kitts tournament. They
should be mindful though that he is still learning his craft and adjusting his
game across all three formats is not going to be easy. More experienced players
have struggled to adapt, resulting in quite a few being pigeon-holed as
specialists. Pooran’s countryman Kieron Pollard, who is yet to play a Test, is
one such who is making a decent living as a globetrotting T20 professional. Another
countryman was not so fortunate. Adrian Barath had quite a promising start to
his Test career but lost his place when it became painfully obvious he had no
idea whether he was playing in whites or colours. The glitz and glamour, and
lucre, of the shortest version of the game would no doubt prove attractive to
youngsters but for this writer Test cricket is still the ‘real thing’ and
emerging regional players should be nurtured with this in mind.
Pooran’s scores since that innings at Providence
read 0, 20 not out, 3, 1, 10, 14 (in the CPL), 8, 6, 11, 15 (Champions’
League), 0, 23, 4 and 10 (WI Under-19). Not very flattering statistics! And what
the statistics do not show is his cavalier approach to batting in the 50-over Under-19
matches, which can be interpreted as the youngster being unable to adapt to the
change of format. His ultimate goal may very well be to make his living on the
T20 circuit but it would be a shame to not see such a talent brought to its
full potential.
There are and will be many more like Pooran and
there will be issues handling them. Another Australian great Rodney Marsh has
suggested T20 be reserved for players over 30; this writer believes they should
be kept away until they are over 19 at least.
