SHOT IN THE ARM TOP-LEVEL SPORT
LIAM PLUNKETT reckons T20 and County Championship matches could be the perfect pick-me-up for the nation.
The Surrey and England star is itching to get out on the cricket field and, as soon as it is safe to do so, he’ll be ready to rumble.
Plunkett said: “As soon as I get the go-ahead to play I’m all for it.
“We want people to be safe and that’s the priority now in all sport. As a nation, we have come so far and we’re doing the right thing – the death toll is going down – but we have to maintain that.
“I’m hoping sport will come round soon, though, and we can put some entertainment on for people – especially people who can’t get out the house.
“If they know there’s cricket on TV and it gives them entertainment and happiness, then I’m all for that.
“It’s going to be interesting to see what we can do. We did a Zoom call with Surrey and there were plenty of questions.
“Is it going to be behind closed doors? Are they going to let so many people in – the members who pay their annual subscription?
“Are you going to have a row to yourself, 10 or 15 seats, how does that work?
“Anyone would take what they can right now, especially the players, and as soon as it’s safe and the risk is very low of spreading the virus, then hopefully we can get some sort of cricket going. I’m not sure what it’s going to be, whether it’s red ball or T20.
“I think it’s going to be T20 or County Championship and they try to play the back end of the season. We’ll have to wait and see.”
There would certainly be less crowds at a Championship game than at The Hundred fixtures, so Plunkett understands why the ECB’S new baby has been postponed a year.
He added: “We all want to play in The
Hundred and we all want it to be a big thing.
“We want it to come out with all the fireworks, all the glitter, we want all the other teams playing in it.
“But we understand why it has been delayed and we hope it can be a massive spectacle next year that can bring all the crowds in.
“Hopefully people will be more excited next year with the bigger build-up.”
■ Liam Plunkett is a ‘My Club’ ambassador www.myclubgroup.co.uk information at the moment that no-one knows what to believe.
“Some players have gone back home for guidance, to their own governments.
“More have told their agents that they are worried about playing too soon.”
Top Dutch agent Rob Jansen (right) tells the same tale.
Jansen, who is the chairman of EFAA, the union that represents agents and intermediaries throughout Europe, said: “I tell you what is going to be the most interesting question: Can clubs force their players to play football under these circumstances?
“I can understand everyone trying to create plans and ideas for finishing the season. But can you try and put entire squads and staff from football clubs in isolation in hotels?
“It only needs one infected person, even a waiter or a hotel staff member, and the entire competition can be destroyed again.” Jansen said he appreciated the financial pressure on
English clubs but found it hard to see how they would execute their ideas.
“There are too many practical problems,” he said.
Jansen also claims that one Premier League chairman has asked his players to accept a 70 per cent wage cut to help ease the financial burden on the club.
“There is a promise that they will compensate the players at a later date,” he added.