Talking Cricket column: Nash fiasco shows calendar is a farce (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Talking Cricket column: Nash fiasco shows calendar is a farce

9:58am Wednesday 28th April 2010 in Talking Cricket column By Matt Donlan, Sports reporter

SOMETIMES you wonder why you bother.

And sometimes you are left wondering if the cricketing authorities are determined to conspire against clubs.

With all the recent problems associated with signing professionals, East Lancashire are to be commended for going out and re-signing West Indian Test ace Brendan Nash.

The Lancashire League needs players of that calibre – and there is excitement for the season with Nash expected to be piling on the runs.

Then suddenly, the star is snatched away from Alexandra Meadows for two months because of a crazy, late scheduled tour.

West Indies A are off to Bangladesh and Nash has been called up. It’s crazy and it robs the Lancashire League.

Yet there is nothing can be done. And that is wrong.

The international cricket calendar is more flexible than an oiled-up contortionist.

It shouldn’t be. It should be set in stone.

It is hard enough for league clubs – and counties for that matter – to recruit professionals and now when they take a punt on an international, a tour or a training camp or even a game of beach cricket can be put into the calendar and wreck a season.

It’s wrong and the powers that be should be laying down the law.

Because, of course, part of their remit is to look after the game at grassroots level.

People want to watch the likes of Nash, players want to play alongside him.

Seriously, who wants to watch a ‘series’ between Bangladesh and West Indies A?

It’s madness.