There is constant speculation surrounding the way in which cricketers are allowed to move counties. There is no official transfer system in place, but we have seen with the recent moves of Rory Hamilton-Brown (from Sussex back to Surrey) and Kabir Ali (Worcester to Hampshire), to name a couple, that players are now being allowed to leave clubs despite still being under contract to their current county.
It was widely reported that Worcestershire were not prepared to simply let Kabir Ali leave without a suitable compensatory figure being paid, that figure was alleged to be around £60,000. It is so far unclear whether Hants met this figure, or whether Worcester lowered that figure due to the urgent need to offload another high earner following their financial losses in 2009. Kabir's apparent unwillingness to remain at New Road was further evidence Worcester would be advised to let the player leave.
Rory Hamilton-Brown was publicly courted by Surrey, led by their supremo Chris Adams, and the offer of taking up the captaincy role no doubt had the young all-rounder eager to hear what Surrey could offer. He too had another year to run on his contract, but was allowed to talk to Surrey about the move, and no doubt the move was sanctioned on the proviso Sussex were well compensated.
You certainly cannot blame the selling counties for seeking the best financial return they can get, if the players have head their heads turned by a fresh challenge. In Kabir Ali's situation, Worcester had helped develop him into the player he is today, having spent 10 years at the club, they invested plenty of time and money on his development, it is only fair that they are paid well due to him still being under contract. It may be fair to say that he has repaid Worcester over the years with consistently high performances, fair point, but they are still losing a fine player, and surely this should be recognised in the transfer fee.
It is when players are out of contract that the counties losing the players inevitably lose out. The football comparison is where a tribunal takes place. This happens for footballers under the age of 24, that run out their current contract with their employers and are then free to join another club. Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge is the most recent case. The clubs could not agree on a suitable price they should pay, and so the tribunal decided that Chelsea pay £3.5m up front, and if certain stipulations are met, the fee could rise to £6.5m. It eliminates the clubs losing their young talent that they nurtured, for nothing.
Such a ruling brought into cricket would mean the counties that have placed faith and money in a young player's development, would receive some form of monetary reward. It stops the young player simply running out his contract and leaving to join a bigger county, paying more, and offering a greater chance of silverware, or international recognition. There is nothing wrong with a player wanting to take his game to the next level, and having ambition, but the county that put his name on the map deserve greater financial compensation.
In my opinion, with the greater influence of agents these days, an official transfer ruling is surely imminent, if only on a trial basis.
With that in mind, this site aims to bring you all the latest speculation on who is going where, and what players certain counties are looking at. There is also contract extensions, the loaning of players, and overseas signings to discuss, without mentioning the thorny issue of the 'Kolpak' players that will also produce countless talking points throughout.
There has already been plenty of action between the close of the 2009 season and now, and in my first few posts I will run the rule over all the signings that have taken place, and ones that may still be happening before 2010 gets underway in April.
In the months to come I also hope to have a look at how things work in other cricketing countries around the world, and bring you any news, and opinions, on any transfers happening there.
Everyone loves speculation on who's going where, but I will not be delivering far fetched unfounded rumours, I hope to give you an insight, and discuss the realilty of any potential moves.
Happy reading folks! Look forward to any comments.
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