Berlin: The "loyalty to money" which Twenty20 leagues around the world are promoting has made it impossible for any country to strike the perfect balance between all three formats of cricket, says former Australian captain Steve Waugh.
Waugh, however, feels India, Australia and England are closest to getting the equilibrium right.
Worried about the impact that Twenty20 cricket is having on the game, Waugh said the incentive on offer in T20 leagues has led to a decline in loyalty towards national duty.
"I think Australia are the closest when it comes to striking a balance, India have the potential and England are also coming up nicely... I think it's impossible to strike a perfect balance given that there are three different teams. It's not realistic. I don't think there would ever be one world No.1 in all three formats of the game," Waugh said, in an interaction with the media.
"Somebody like Brendon McCullum retired from Test cricket even though I feel he still had three-four years in him. He is just working for superannuation right now, for his family, which is alright. Overall I feel there is no loyalty to the team, there is loyalty to money now. I don't blame the players but it's tough on the fans," Waugh said.
His sentiments were echoed by former England captain Ian Botham, who said Twenty20 should be kept at the "bottom of the shelf".
"Test cricket is No. 1 because it ebbs and flows beautifully, but there is shelf life for every format. And I feel Twenty20 should be at the bottom of the shelf. People are saying it was a great World Twenty20 final last month. I say it was a great last four balls, the rest of the final was a drag. I think it was a pretty poor final," Botham said.
The West Indies beat England in a last-over thriller in the World T20 final with Carlos Brathwaite smacking Ben Stokes for four consecutive sixes. Botham said the way things are going, Twenty20 is in the danger of becoming a lottery.
"That's a real threat. T20 could become a lottery because cricket is much more than just 20 overs. Crowds like it but then crowds like Test cricket too. In England every big Test series is sold out, it's the same in Australia, South Africa or New Zealand," he said.
"I think players have to remind people how important Test cricket is. Players have the obligation to look after Test cricket," Botham added.
Waugh said the West Indies are a prime example of how T20 can affect the growth of other formats.
"There is a danger and we all know that. Look at the West Indies. The incentive to play T20 cricket is so much more than Test cricket," he said.
Botham said he is concerned about the fate of ODI cricket in the wake of the T20 storm. "I am concerned about what might happen to ODIs. It's a format I like because it also ebbs and flows like Tests. There is a need to get that balance, but I don't think it's going to be easy," he said.
Not enamoured by the razzmatazz of T20, Bothan felt India need to understand that there is more to the game than the shortest format only.
"I am disappointed with Indian cricket right now. Cricket is more than just a 20-over game, they need to understand that. England's contests with India always used to excite me, but right now, I don't know what to say."
Botham has reasons to be disappointed as the last two away Test series in England saw India lose by 0-4 and 1-3 margins respectively. They have also lost a home Test series to England back in 2012. "Where is India going in Test cricket? Why is this happening? Is it saturation of Twenty20? India need to figure out," Botham said.
India may be ranked third in the ICC Test rankings but that does not cut much ice with the legend.
"Look I don't understand rankings. England, South Africa and Australia are playing the best Test cricket to my mind," he was forthright in his assessment. Australia have an established Big Bash, it's pretty well fitted in the calendar. England are also alright with a proper set up. Look you can have Twenty20 matches, but it cannot be week in and week out."
