Originally posted by VargThose 2 were born here. Hmm, I didn't even know that.
Well England now have Kevin Peiterson and Andrew Strauss who were born in South Africa and Geraint Jones who was born in Papua New Guinea and grew up in Australia, on the cricket team. But all have at least one English parent (or Welsh in Jones' case).
If people have dual nationality I don't think that's a problem, but if anyone can play for any country jus ...[text shortened]... ling the residence requirements, it makes a bit of a mockery of international teams doesn't it?
Yeah, these 'ancestry' players will always be a sensitive subject, especially if you lose a quality player, but I won't (well, I try not to) hold it agaist them if they follow the money.
The problem in SA is that only the players in the national and some provincial sides can realisticly make a career of sport. Clubs and smaller provincial sides just can't pay enough; And here I'm talking about the big 3 in SA (rugby, cricket and soccer), the lower profile sports don't even have a chance - there's just no money.
So these players are easily baited to other countries where sport actually pays.
Originally posted by VargMy mistake, I just hear an Australian every time he opens his mouth so I presumed... Don't get me wrong, I'm all for it personally, GT is the best batsman we've had in a decade and I'm grateful for his performance regardless of his roots 🙂
Graham Thorpe was not born overseas.
Oh and Andy Symonds (Australia) was born in Birmingham (England) so there!! 🙂
Originally posted by Devinator3000Actually you'll find that a growing number of European countries already do, Rep. Ireland, Scotland, Netherlands, Spain, France all have teams, some of which played in the World Cup qualifying rounds and will do more frequent international play over the next few years I am sure. The Netherlands are actually pretty good for a country so new to cricket 🙂
Cricket should be blayed more often in european countries (not england)
One day I pray for a world without football... *sigh*
Originally posted by StarrmanYes, but then all the football fans will start going to cricket matches.
Actually you'll find that a growing number of European countries already do, Rep. Ireland, Scotland, Netherlands, Spain, France all have teams, some of which played in the World Cup qualifying rounds and will do more frequent international play over the next few years I am sure. The Netherlands are actually pretty good for a country so new to cricket 🙂
One day I pray for a world without football... *sigh*
Some might say this has already begun...
Originally posted by Devinator3000Nope, you're wrong buddy.
The Americans wont get any where close to being a test playing nation, there team is just as worse as my U13 State Team .
They're crap because they don't give a crap.
Once (if ever) they start really playing a real sport instead of buggering aroung with those sextoy shaped bats, they're gonna be a force to be reckoned with.