West Indies captain Jason Holder has called for a minimum wage for international cricketers, describing Duanne Olivier’s Kolpak deal with Yorkshire as “really sad to see”.
The seamer’s decision to call time on his South Africa career at the age of just 26 following a breakthrough year with the Proteas has caused quite a stir, widening debates about the long-term health of the international game.
Olivier is the latest in a long list of capped players who have opted for the financial security of domestic deals in county cricket ahead of further opportunities on the world stage, a talent drain that does not appear sustainable.
Holder reacted with disappointment, but understanding, to news of Olivier’s decision and believes measures must be put in place at the highest level to put an end to the situation.
“It’s really sad to see another quality player lost to Kolpak cricket,” he said.
“I don’t know what the International Cricket Council can do to better compensate players for playing Test cricket, maybe setting a minimum wage for Test cricket so players can fulfil their country’s needs by playing in the longer formats. “There’s so much prestige behind it and so much work behind it, I can only hope we can find some common ground where players are properly compensated and encouraged to play Test cricket as opposed to running off to domestic leagues.
Tony Irish, executive chairman of FICA, shares much of Holder’s assessment and believes a minimum international wage could be part of the long-term solution. “I agree that it is sad when a player such as Duanne is lost to international cricket but one also has to understand that the Kolpak situation is similar to the issue of free agency in cricket,” he said. “In both, a player is free to exercise a choice as to where and how he plies his trade. Players are often blamed for the choices they make but the system is set up to allow those choices.
