Of the players, by the players...

Faisal Shariff

Today in diary, we continue our series on the contract system for players. Over the past 48 hours we presented our thoughts, and those sent in by readers, to various players at the local and national levels. What follows, is a summation of the opinions expressed by them:

• The systems that have been put in place by the ACB and the ECB are outstanding -- but cannot be imported as is into the Indian context, since our needs are different. One problem is that the BCCI's matrix for distribution of money is different from that of Australia and England. Again, to implement a system of this sort needs a professionally managed board, with transparency of functioning -- which we do not have.

• To work at its best, the contract system should be introduced from the grassroots level upwards. Given the number of state associations we have in India (27), it is not easy to put a viable structure in place. Implementation will be tedious, and time-consuming.

• The national selectors should select a pack of 20-25 players, the selection being based on temperament, tenacity and talent. The players should then be graded on the basis of seniority, and paid accordingly. Players who play both forms of the game should earn more than players who play one form -- for instance, Srinath plays only Tests, and Robin Singh plays only ODIs. This should be taken into account when fixing player remunerations. However, if the board wants Srinath to play only Tests in order to preserve him for a longer time, then he should he compensated for missing out on ODIs.

There will be three grades -- A, B and C. Grade A comprises the players who are certain picks in both forms of the game. Grade B would be players who are sure to be picked for one form, and likely to be picked for the other. Grade C would comprise the fringe players. They are the ones who are on the edge and under trial all the time. A monthly pay packet, backed up by a management and coach that tells these players which areas of their game they need to focus on, will aid his development and help him to achieve the levels of excellence he needs. It needs to be remembered that these grades are not locked in stone. Thus, if a player in Grade A loses form or is otherwise found unsuitable for one form of the game, he can be downgraded, just as a Grade B player who improves his skills and performance levels can be upped to the A grade.

There will be teething problems when you do something so radical, but that is part of the game.

As per this format, it will only be a matter of time before the players who are there to make up the numbers get weeded out. This weeding out of course should be done with a humane hand -- thus, if they are deemed unfit for the highest level, they should be taken aside by the selectors and the decision to drop them should be explained. They should not find themselves reading about their axing in the morning papers.

• That it is essential to implement a similar system at the state level cannot be over-emphasised. Today, if a cricketer plays ten years at the county level without having played a single Test or ODI, he still makes a more than decent living. In contrast, a Ranji player who plays all 12 matches in a season (which is possible only if he plays for a team that is sure of making it to the final) earns Rs 36,000. Which is obviously less than adequate compensation for his having devoted the major part of the year to the game. This is the main reason why cricket is not seen as an attractive career option in this country -- which in turn stifles the growth of young talent.

However, to persuade all 27 assocations to put in place an equitable contract system for their players can be very hard. Which is why it might make sense to work from the top down -- first put the national players on contract, make the system work, then hold it up as the model for individual associations to follow. It needs to be remembered that the top teams have, in their domestic leagues, far less teams that we have. Australia has 6 teams in its domestic league, South Africa has 8 and England has 18 counties. We need to review the domestic structure, to address its prevailing unwieldly nature.

The associations will argue that it is expensive to introduce such a structure. They need to be reminded that the BCCI gives each assocation a sum in excess of Rs 90 lakh every year, for developmental activities. There is no reason why a portion of this money cannot be earmarked for player payments -- after all, you cannot develop the game without first ensuring the wellbeing of the players. The BCCI needs to introduce accountability among the state associations, many of whom misappropriate the annual grants while leaving the players out in the cold.

• While the ideas look good on paper, it is today enormously difficult to implement good ideas in Indian cricket, which is manned by non-professionals and riddled by politics. The immediate need, therefore, is to first put in place a professional management structure -- one that has the capability to execute ideas to perfection.

• There has to be a sea-change in the board's attitude towards the players. Recently, the UCBSA presented Shaun Pollock with a memento when the South African player reached 200 wickets. This action shows an appreciation, by the board, of a player's contributions. Such appreciation gives the player a sense of pride, in himself, his country, and his team, and pushes him on to greater heights of excellence. Similarly, the Australian board has been going out of its way to recognise its achievers, and also to inculcate in its players a sense of history -- for instance, you will remember that recently, the Australian team took the field in replicas of the caps worn by the team of 100 years ago. When was the last time the Indian board acknowledged a player's performance? In fact, if you ask a board that question you will only get blank faces.

Any reform, to be effective, has to wear a human face -- and that is something the board needs to understand, first, before we even think of making any radical changes to our set up.

(Note: The above ideas and opinions are a synopsis of conversations with various players on the subject of the contract system. We will round off this series tomorrow).

Design: Devyani Chandwarkar
Illustration: Dominic Xavier