Cricket: Miandad rubbishes player burnout worries

KARACHI - Former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad has dismissed concerns about player burnout caused by the increasingly busy international cricket calendar.

"All these complaints about too much cricket nowadays is rubbish. In our days we yearned for more matches," Miandad said today.

The 48-year-old, who has coached Pakistan in three separate stints, remains his country's most prolific batsman in tests with 8832 runs from 124 matches and also played in 233 one-day internationals.

"Look at the other sports globally and how much football, tennis and golf is played on the international circuit. Cricket still lacks in global appeal because it is restricted to few countries," he said.

"The way I look at it any player can pick and choose the matches he wants to play. It will also create opportunities for others to play at the top level," Miandad said.

He said the International Cricket Council and member boards needed to ensure there was a proper rest period between matches during a series.

"That is important for players to recover but I don't think excessive international cricket is being played these days. The players are also being paid well now."

Miandad said the career span of an international cricketer was short and players should be happy to play as much cricket as possible.

"It's a reality players have to get used to and just try to maintain optimum fitness levels to avoid fatigue and burnout."

- REUTERS