It is evident that many players no longer see international cricket, and Test cricket in particular, as the pinnacle of the sport. Or, they are willing to forgo playing at the highest level to maximize their earnings. Whichever it is, it spells gloom for the international game.

I have no way of knowing, of course, but this is what I believe: had there been no T20 leagues to purchase his skills, Pooran would have been the West Indies’ premier batter, and one of the better Test-match batters in the game. His ability is undeniable, and his capacity for wreaking mayhem with the bat is why he is in such high demand on the T20 circuit, as were Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard and others before him.

But if it seems like I’m saying all this is the fault of the T20 leagues then be clear that I am not. The cricket calendar is chaotic and has a free-for-all feel to it. Players who are adept at the T20 game, and especially those from the less wealthy nations, have become globe-trotting cricketers-for-hire. Pooran, for example, has represented 23 different franchise teams by my calculation. The count for Andre Russell is about 28.

https://garfieldrobinson1.substack.com/p/the-trouble-with-international-cricket