Welcoming home the prodigal sons
There have been several hopeful stories of NZ’s ICL rebels possibly being welcomed back to the fold due to a reconciliation between the ICL and BCCI. In all of those stories, the hope turned out to be despairing. There would be no reconciliation between the two.
The only credible end to the impasse with the BCCI refusing to recognise the ICL was for the ICL to fold. With the ICL’s cancelling of its March “World Series”, the collapse of the ICL seems to be on the cards. Another strong indication that the ICL is at least shrivelling up is the report that an offer has been made to the New Zealand members of the league that they can be released from their contracts if they choose.
If this report is true, it is a very interesting development. While it might be optimistic to think that gaining release from their contracts would automatically remove the rebel stigma from them (Hamish Marshall has left the ICL but is still treated like a pariah), it is still a necessary step in their rehabilitation.
The NZ players in the ICL are Shane Bond, Darryl Tuffey, Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Chris Harris, Andre Adams and Lou Vincent. Astle, McMillan and Harris are all effectively retired or beyond selection. They would have no good reason to ditch their contracts. The other four however are interesting cases. Adams and Vincent would remain potential selections for New Zealand (considerably more so with Bracewell moving on), though they would have to fight hard for places in the squad. Shane Bond is a bit of a mystery. Almost everyone involved in cricket in New Zealand would want to see him back playing for New Zealand. However, he has stated many times that he would not come back even if the opportunity arose. It might also invalidate a lot of the content of his tell-all autobiography. Of course, he hasn’t absolutely ruled it out, to my knowledge, and he could always add a happy-ending final few chapters of leading the Black Caps bowling at the 2011 World Cup and some IPL glory.
If anyone is going to make best use of this opportunity it is Darryl Tuffey. While he is by no means NZ’s best bowler, our heavy artillery is so depleted, he would be welcomed back enthusiastically.
March 29th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Agreed. Had this been a year ago, we might have been clamouring for the return of Vincent, Bond, Tuffey, Adams, Astle and McMillan. But now, I think only Adams and Tuffey would have a chance at international selection – well, to be honest, all of them would be a chance given the selector’s apparent dartboard method, but I meant becoming a more permanant fixture in the team – because none of the others are opening batsmen, and Bond had already retired from test cricket before the ICL stuff, so he’d probably be most suited to 20/20 (4 overs before he breaks his back).
March 29th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Its a shame about Bond, I hope he reconsiders playing for the Kiwis, its a great side watching him run in and scare batsmen.
Remind me again why he doesnt want to play for NZ?
Tuffey will be a good addition as well.
Lets see how it pans out
March 29th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
But now, I think only Adams and Tuffey would have a chance at international selection
I reckon Vincent might get a look in too (though I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t get a very good reception from NZC, seeing as he bailed on his contract). While I have hopes for our current top 5, we have to expect that they won’t all work out or will fall out of form, giving Lou a way back in. Don’t forget too that Ryder is only there while he behaves himself. It would be very sensible for us to have some insurance against that no. 5 spot.
Tuffey would be nice to have back to throw into the mix. His form was atrocious just before he went for the ICL, but as the article I linked to says, that was mostly a confidence issue.
March 29th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Remind me again why he [bond] doesnt want to play for NZ?
His claim would be that it is because he was treated so badly regarding his signing of his ICL contract.
My rather cynical opinion is that it is because he is grumpy he couldn’t have his cake and eat it.
It should be noted that he was planning on quitting test cricket anyway. He never actually formally retired, so he hung around on the ratings list for ages.
March 30th, 2009 at 12:59 am
Bond had retired from test cricket prior to his signing for the IPL.
You’re right Ben. Tuffey is the only tet candidate out of that lot.
And he’s have made no impact today
March 30th, 2009 at 4:38 am
I was surprised at the lukewarm response to Bond’s availability. I remember earlier a few grumpy comments – mostly Australian I suspect, but atleast 1 NZer – on various blogs about BCCI’s conspiracy to deprive opponents of their best players to ensure the no.1 ranking for India. So why does no one seem cheered by the prospect of Bond’s return?
March 30th, 2009 at 8:32 am
So why does no one seem cheered by the prospect of Bond’s return?
There is huge expectation for seeing Bond back, throughout the country. It greatly exceeds the likelihood of him ever being available to play for NZ again, his own desire to play for NZ and, quite frankly, the impact he will have if he did return.
March 30th, 2009 at 8:37 am
Bond had retired from test cricket prior to his signing for the IPL.
Not formally was my understanding, but most importantly, it was the ICL he signed with
.
March 30th, 2009 at 9:32 am
Oops, that’ll be the ICL I guess
Perhaps not formally retired from tests but had gone public and to NZC after limping home from the South African tour saying he’d never play tests again.
NZC, for some unknown reason, said they’d support him in that.
I’m lukewarm about his returning; he let NZ down more than he really achieved for them. Would just become a sideshow.
He will make himself available for NZ for the short stuff though; he has to.
April 30th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
[...] has been a while now since the possibility of the rebel players returning arose, with the ICL offering to release the NZ players from their contracts. We’ve heard nothing [...]