Retired South African cricketer Morne Morkel feels that Duanne Olivier’s step to sign a Kolpak deal with Yorkshire County Cricket Club, effectively ending his international career, was a “family decision” which should be respected by all.
Morkel said that the timing of the decision was not great as Olivier had really started settling himself in the Test cricket. He, however, added that he understands his decision and respect it.
“It's just unfortunate because Duanne had really settled in and is finding his feet … he knows what Test cricket is about. In terms of timing, it's not great. (But) I think that decision was made long before a couple of months ago. He weighed his options up and it was a family decision and you have to respect that,” Cricket.com.au quoted Morkel, as saying.
“It's never nice to lose quality players, you always want to see them play for South Africa. But I understand it completely and I wish him all the best,” he added.
As a preventive measure for this trend, the right-arm pacer suggested the Cricket South Africa (CSA) come up with a proper plan so that the players can have a sense of security with regards to their cricketing career.
“They have to sit down and come up with plans because they're going to lose a lot of players in the near future and they need to protect against that. Do you structure the contracting a little bit better? What security do you give the guys (in terms of) life after cricket? You talk about investing, but once a guy retires, they sort of drift away. I can name a number of players who they have invested a lot of money in, but you don't see them coaching, you don't see them involved with our academies,” he said.
“Give those guys a platform and say; 'we've invested in you for so many years when you're thinking of settling down or moving on, this is where we see a role for you,” he added.
Morkel said that players who are continuously in and out of the team find it hard to settle in due to which they accept other playing offers.
“I think that communication is not great at the moment so that's something they can improve on. (When I was younger) I was settled in the team so for me, it was easier to put offers aside and focus on playing with South Africa,” Morkel said.
"It's harder for those guys who are in and out of the team. If the communication channels aren't great and you're not sure where you fit in, that's where the biggest challenge comes in. Communication is the key in any business,” he added.
Recently, Olivier turned his back to the international cricket by signing a three-year deal with the Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
Terming the decision as the “most difficult” one of his life, Olivier said that being a professional cricketer, his career will be short lived and that he needs to make most of the opportunities that come across his way. (ANI)
