Cutting edge: Money the driving factor for cricketers turning 30
Ben Cutting seems to have the knack of leaving it till late. In the opening match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), the 30-year-old hit two huge sixes against Shane Watson in the last over to take Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) past 200. Sunrisers ultimately won by 35 runs.
Cut to last year’s final, and Cutting had a similar role to play. In the title clash between SRH and RCB, the Australian came in at No 6 and scored 39* off just 15 balls. He later picked 2/35 as SRH clinched the final by eight runs. His effort earned him the Man-of-the-Match award.
For a ‘late-bloomer’, Cutting’s international career is following a similar trajectory. He got an early call to the Australia Test team as a 19-yearold during the 2006-07 Ashes, but had to warm the bench. In the 10 years since then, he has played only four ODIs and four T20Is.
After playing another late but significant innings, Cutting spoke to on what he thought of the IPL, SRH and his career: between bat and ball, it’s often fielding that decides the winner. I was lucky that the ball came into my hands perfectly and my throw hit the stumps directly. As an all-rounder you are expected to do everything; whether it is to go for big hits in the last overs, or bowl in the 19th or 20th over. That’s the beauty of T20 cricket. Not so much yet for me. Money, probably, is the driving factor with guys as they reach mid-30s, and are approaching retirement. They want to settle post-retirement in a better way.
I turned 30 two months back, and probably will play at the top level for two to three years more. There’s plenty of cricket left in me. I am doing well in the T20s and that’s why I am playing and not because of the money.
All the teams are always cautious about Yuvraj. He is in great form. We missed him in first part in 2016.