Nelson's Column: Ravi stands firm

Well said Ravi Bopara! In explaining his decision to turn down a lucrative offer to play in the Indian Premier League, the Essex all-rounder said he wanted to regain and cement his place in the England team.

Bopara admitted that he had been tempted by the money but wanted to put his county first. "My goal is to play regularly for England so I am confident that if I continue to score runs and take wickets for Essex then I will hopefully play for England this summer and for many years to come," he said.

Bearing in mind that Bopara isn't centrally contracted by the ECB and is thus free to sign with the IPL if Essex agree, his decision and wise words come as a breath of fresh air amid the get-rich-quick mentality that's threatening to tear the game apart.

Contrast his stance with the views of Shane Warne, who has once again criticised the ECB for preventing centrally-contracted players from featuring in the IPL.

Warne, who captains and coaches the Rajasthan Royals, said: "If the Poms don't want to play, well so be it. It's still a good spectacle without them. But it would be better with them. Hopefully everyone gets their head out of the sand and they allow their individuals to play and look at the bigger picture."

Warne added that if the ECB were to change its mind, IPL teams would be queueing up to sign the best English talent, with Andrew Flintoff certain to be top of the 'most wanted' list.

And therein lies a problem. All-rounders will tend to be in highest demand for the Twenty20 game, marginalising other skills such as those of the out-and-out opening batsman or bowler.

The ECB is right to adopt a cautious approach for all sorts of reasons, not least because Test cricket must remain the jewel in their crown. Without it, the game is in danger of losing its very soul. And you don't jump on a gravy train until you know where it's going.

Is Bopara to be praised for putting Essex and England first? Or is Warne right to criticise the ECB for adopting a cautious approach over the IPL? Have your say in the boxes below.

Comments

[aktar]

I think Ravi made the right choice. I think the IPL is a money spinning opportunity for greedy players who can only slog. Test cricket and the one-day format requires more skill. Ravi has proved that the love for the game comes before money. Well done Rav, im sure it will pay off in the long term when he is an England regular!

[Snappylarry]

Well done Bopara. But unfortunately he will be an exception rather than the rule. Money talks. Pietersen has already said he wants to play (no loyalty to any country). I can understand it if players are near the end of their careers the amount of money offered is amazing but not when its only just begun. Pietersen has moaned about being tired with the amount of cricket he plays I'm sure he wont be if he's getting paid handsomely for it. Maybe he'll get tired during the winter when an overseas tour to Pakistan is on the agenda. Centrally contracted players should not be allowed to play - they get paid enough. Maybe not as much as football but alot more than the average guy who plays £40 to come and watch the test matches.

[James]

Bopara's quite right to put county and country before filthy lucre. England and Essex need him. Excellent player.