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Boycott: Bethell's IPL choice risks Test form
4 Jun
Summary
- Bethell chose IPL over England prep, says Boycott.
- Boycott fears T20 instincts may harm Test performance.
- Players now earn high contracts, expect top performance.
Former England captain Geoffrey Boycott has voiced concerns regarding Jacob Bethell's decision to remain with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) instead of joining the national team for Test series preparation.
Boycott suggested that Bethell will face "extra pressure" in the upcoming Test series against New Zealand. He highlighted that the young opener's ingrained T20 batting style, focused on hitting boundaries, could hinder his performance in the longer format. Without warm-up matches, transitioning from T20 aggression to Test requirements will be challenging.
Furthermore, Boycott commented on the evolving financial landscape of cricket. He contrasted the current situation, where top England players earn close to £1 million annually, with earlier IPL days when playing in the league offered significantly higher financial rewards than international cricket. He stated that with substantial player contracts, fans are justified in expecting top-tier performances from the national team, which has thus far struggled against top teams like India and Australia.
