Are the Kolpaks/Zimbabweans really committed to English cricket?

[gani999]

Am I the only one who thinks that the Zimbabweans and kolpaks like Ballance and Jennings have no commitment towards making a successful career in English cricket?

Their desire to migrate to England, away from the difficult circumstances at home is understandable. But now that they have settled in England and most probably have other careers lined up, they seem to have become rather complacent. I think that is very selfish of them, given their undeniable talent.

Apart from Andrew Strauss, I haven't seen any other kolpak show a long term commitment towards making a career in English cricket. Even the much vaunted Kelvin Petersen ruined what could have been a stellar career.

The ECB should chuck them out and give more chances to English and England-born Asian boys.

Your thoughts?

 

[HitWicket]

As far as I'm aware a player who initially qualified via the kolpak ruling has never represented England. All foreign born players have done so through their parents/heritage.

 

[Varun]

Harsh on Pietersen.

He gave 100+ tests to England and averaged nearly 50, while also playing ODIs and T20s on the side.

As for Asian born English boys, what about Haseeb Hameed? He hasn't scored a run all year and therefore wasn't picked ahead of Jennings for this series.

 

[as-95]

Pietersen had a career that was better than 99% of all cricketers and is recognised as one of the greatest players to have ever played for England. It could have been even better, but it was still nothing less than a stellar career. Most players would dream of achieving what KP did.

What are OP's Views on Jonathan Trott after giving up in the middle of a tour

 

[gani999]

Harsh on Pietersen.

He gave 100+ tests to England and averaged nearly 50, while also playing ODIs and T20s on the side.
.

He could have done much, much more given his talent. Which is what makes the behaviour that led to his expulsion even more disgusting.

What are OP's Views on Jonathan Trott after giving up in the middle of a tour

There, more grist to my mill.

But he did suffer from depression, so I guess he can be forgiven.

 

[kaifmazhar]

They are there only for money and secure life.

 

[pakistani pride]

Andrew strauss?? His parents are not from the UK?

 

[cric_man]

Andrew strauss?? His parents are not from the UK?

Born in South Africa but moved to UK when he was 6.
Same for Trott. I believe he married an englishwoman and has a British passport.
Both are not considered Kolpaks.

 

[Markhor]

They'd rather commit to English cricket than stay in Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe and under the thumb of his cronies in the ZCB.

Zimbabwe would be a decent outfit had they retained Taylor, Jarvis and some of the other white players that fled.

Also frankly, a player who commits to a Kolpak deal should not have to renounce their national team career. Are any of the Kolpak players in any other sport anywhere in the EU also obliged to sacrifice their national team career ?

 

[light]

He could have done much, much more given his talent. Which is what makes the behaviour that led to his expulsion even more disgusting.

What's there to say that he would not have acted this way if he was part of SA? His commitment here should not be questioned what so ever. 100+ test for any country is a commitment alone, let alone avg 50+ after that.

Some people have childish characteristic and behave this way (regardless of good or bad). But then again, he was being treated unfairly IMHO. If your boss is treating you unfairly (immigrant or not), you have the right to speak up. He did just that. He did want to fix it with ECB later on, only to be turned down. Loose loose for both KP and ECB.

 

[Slog]

Has any Kolpak represented england

 

[pakistani pride]

Born in South Africa but moved to UK when he was 6.
Same for Trott. I believe he married an englishwoman and has a British passport.
Both are not considered Kolpaks.

If you live in a country since your 6 then this whole thing doesnt really apply to strauss. He is English.

 

[Shaka81]

They'd rather commit to English cricket than stay in Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe and under the thumb of his cronies in the ZCB.

Zimbabwe would be a decent outfit had they retained Taylor, Jarvis and some of the other white players that fled.

Also frankly, a player who commits to a Kolpak deal should not have to renounce their national team career. Are any of the Kolpak players in any other sport anywhere in the EU also obliged to sacrifice their national team career ?

I agree it's very strange that Kolpak players can't play International cricket. Imagine if football players had to give up international football to play in the English Premier League... they would be taking them to international courts to sue them for discriminatory working practices. Yet cricket seems exempt from these laws...

 

[HitWicket]

I agree it's very strange that Kolpak players can't play International cricket. Imagine if football players had to give up international football to play in the English Premier League... they would be taking them to international courts to sue them for discriminatory working practices. Yet cricket seems exempt from these laws...

Technically it wouldn't hold up. To challenge it legally though a player would need a county that is willing to sign them knowing full well that the player is going to challenge the ECB legally, who keep the county in question financially afloat and also to acknowledge that the player would then have periods of unavailability because of international commitments. Not exactly in the counties interest to get involved.

 

[idrizzy]

Has any Kolpak represented england

Don't think so.

 

[Pakistanian]

Stauss is English lol, he's been there since he was 6.

Matt Prior and Jonathan Trott are better examples, Craig Kieswetter was also an up and coming player but he ended up getting a career-ending injury that traumatized him.