Graeme Swann's sudden and unexpected retirement from all forms of cricket comes as another blow to the beleaguered England cricket team. It follows on the heels of Jonathan Trott's departure from the side for reasons of mental health and not that long after Andrew Strauss made an equally sudden and unexpected exit.
Swann has cited problem's with his arm as one of the main reasons for his decision but he is only 34 and surely had a year or 2 left in him. He has been one of England's most successful bowlers, taking 255 wickets in 60 Test matches, a strike rate which compares favourably with most. With England struggling to make any impression on the rampant Australians, his departure from the team seems most odd.
One is left wondering whether we have been told the whole story. The continuous round of international matches of all sorts, with associated media coverage and constant demands for special appearances, may well be a subsidiary reason, but one that cannot be mentioned; sponsors wouldn't like it. Indeed, some of the players probably wouldn't like it either as it could lead to a reduction in their bloated incomes.
For men like Swann, Trott, Strauss and, a few years ago, Trescothick, to suddenly walk away from the game that they've devoted their lives to must surely ring alarm bells in the minds of all sensible sports administrators. Clearly, something is wrong..
No comments:
Post a Comment