Cricketers get just recognition

“WHY do they try so hard when they’re so underpaid?”

That was the joke flying around while watching the weekend’s Australian Open finals.

All thanks to Novak Djokovic who thinks players should demand more money.

Given how most of the world lives, it’s hard to feel sympathetic for Djokovic who has scooped more than $100 million in prize money in his career - so far.

That said, I’m pleased the success of the Indian Premier League means hefty pay days for some of our top cricketers.

Those who did well out of the latest auction include Brisbane Heat star Chris Lynn with a $1.86m bid, fast bowler Mitchell Starc who drew a bid of $1.8m, Glenn Maxwell $1.75m, Aaron Finch $1.2m and Marcus Stoinis $1.2m.

It’s the sort of money most of us can only dream of. But with the IPL TV rights selling for billions, it seems only fair that players benefit.

And these figures still pale in comparison with prizemoney in tennis.

Much of the world is unfortunately ignorant of just what an amazing game cricket is, in all its glorious forms, and many have no clue about what brilliant athletes cricketers are.

They train as hard as any elite sportsman or woman, put their bodies through hell and put in amazing, exciting performances. Which makes it satisfying that they are at last seeing the sort of remuneration for their efforts that was once only enjoyed by players on the ATP world tour.

Not, though, the sort of remuneration to satisfy Djokovic.