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Problems of a packed international schedule
Two-Test series don't make sense - Vengsarkar
Cricinfo staff
July 15, 2008
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Dilip Vengsarkar: "Only Manpreet Gony, you could say to a certain extent, was a find from the IPL. Test cricket will produce players for Twenty20, not the other way round"
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Dilip Vengsarkar, India's chairman of selectors, has stressed the need to reduce the number of one-day games in order to tackle the issue of player burnout. Instead of cutting down on Tests per tour, Vengsarkar said ODIs had to be targetted.
"We play around five to seven ODI games on every tour," Vengsarkar told the Hindu. "This takes away 14 to 20 days. Personally, these two-Test series do not make much sense to me. It should either be three or five." The proposed itinerary for England's tour of India in November includes seven ODIs and two Tests.
Vengsarkar also wanted the international schedule to be eased so that national players could participate in domestic cricket. "During most of the domestic matches I watched last season, there were not more than ten people witnessing the matches. You need international stars to take part in domestic cricket to raise the standard. Otherwise it would become very hard to judge quality and temperament for Test cricket. But where do the international cricketers have the time in a packed calendar?"
Mahendra Singh Dhoni recently chose to pull out of the Test series in Sri Lanka because he needed a break and Vengsarkar said player fatigue had become a global problem. "The stronger nations have to honour their commitments against the weaker sides as well. But how do you accommodate so many matches? Test cricket should not suffer."
Vengsarkar dismissed the idea that the Indian Premier League had thrown up fresh talent to pick from. "Twenty20 is an exciting and popular format but tell me five cricketers from the IPL who can play for India? A lot of players got exposure but are they good enough to play for India. Only Manpreet Gony, you could say to a certain extent, was a find from the IPL. Players like Yusuf Pathan were in the frame even before the IPL. Test cricket will produce players for Twenty20, not the other way round."
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