Auckland 1st, September : New Zealand left-arm seamer Mitchell McClenaghan is worried of older players not being appreciated significantly by the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) after reaching the age of.McClenaghan’s worries come after speed all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme announced his retirement from international cricket on Wednesday.
An experienced veteran of 29 Tests as well as 45 ODIs and 41 T20Is that played a key role in the recent success of New Zealand in recent times, de Grandhomme was selected by the Adelaide Strikers ahead of season 12 of the Big Bash League (BBL) through an inaugural overseas draft.De Grandhomme, 36, follows in the footsteps of Kiwi left-arm pace bowler Trent Boult, who too was granted an exemption from the central contract of NZC.
“I believe that once you reach an age that you’re not valued by New Zealand Cricket.I think that there ought to be some kind of reward for the longevity in this game, especially with the way that contracts are structured with NZC.”
“You’re on an annual contract, so there’s really no security whatsoever.You’re not an employee as the ones you work with New Zealand Rugby, where you’re on a long-term contract, where you don’t have to be looking over your shoulder and you’re making high-paying contracts,” said McClenaghan on SENZ Breakfast.
McClenaghan who played the ODIs for 48 and T20Is for 29 for New Zealand, feels that the lack of security in NZC contracts is the reason de Grandhomme announced his retirement from international cricket following the signing of the BBL contract with Strikers.
“You might lose your job tomorrow , so all your security goes out the window, and I see why Colin decided to wait until he was offered an opportunity to work before making the decision to go in.I believe that in his head he probably believed he’d have just four or five Tests left at the maximum, and that (would) likely happen towards the close of his playing career.This is the normal course of working as a contractor, unfortunately for NZC and, obviously, for New Zealand cricketers as well.”
New Zealand will be next to be seen in action in three ODI matches in Australia beginning on September 6.
nr/inj
