Too much cricket May

Calcutta: Tim May was part of Allan Border’s team that won the 1987 World Cup at Eden Gardens. The chief executive of the Federation of International Cricketers’ Association, who is in the city as a member of the International Cricket Council (ICC)’s delegation to review arrangements for the 2011 World Cup, spoke toThe Telegraph on Friday.

The following are excerpts

If the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Champions League T20 should be a part of the Future Tours Programme (FTP)

This decision has to be made by the ICC. Naturally the IPL and the Champions League have had an impact on the players. The Champions League came across very well and a majority of the countries were involved. It’s sensible to have a window in the FTP. It’s an important tournament and a great opportunity for the domestic players who don’t get to showcase their talent on the international stage. The problem now is that there’s too much of international cricket… The landscape has changed with the advent of T20 and cricket hasn’t adapted well to it yet.

Ricky Ponting’s view that the Champions League hampered Australia’s preparations for the current ODI series

It’s not just about the Champions League… Cricket in general has become very difficult on the players. If you look at the schedule in international cricket, it’s become harsh on the players.

One of the feedbacks that we receive is that it is becoming very difficult for the players to continue with such packed schedules… away from their homes and families. To earn more is not necessarily better… They want to play more international cricket but the wear and tear is ruining them. The game will be best served if we can reduce this.

If money was luring players into playing for franchises

If you ask a player the priority will be to play international cricket. But, yes, there is a change in the landscape.

We need to have a change in the international calendar accordingly. If the international calendar was taking the desire out of the players, we should try and avoid any such situation…

His suggestion for cricket boards

The cricket boards will always want to maintain revenue. From a player’s perspective, we need less of international cricket to retain them at the international level for a longer period. We need to find the right solution where the volume of cricket will be lesser. The answer lies in the context of Test and one-day cricket… At the end of the day, bilateral one-day series doesn’t mean anything…

If Test cricket will survive, what with the advent of T20

I think people are jumping the gun unnecessarily. I don’t think Test cricket will die… But if you let Test cricket die, it will die… We need to have the best players for Test cricket. We need to maintain a balance to allow those players to play Tests. The present FTP is pushing the players out of international cricket.

On the Indian players’ decision not to sign the Wada code

We’re not privy to the discussions that took place between the ICC, the BCCI, the players and Wada. So it would be irresponsible for me to make a comment.

Whether he favours the whereabouts clause

I feel the whereabouts clause is very taxing on the players... There can, however, be arguments for both sides.

Memories of the 1987 World Cup final at the Eden

I didn’t have much to do… I bowled four odd overs and was pretty much a passenger. Anyway, it was good fun to be part of the World Cup winning squad.