CHRIS CAIRNS hoped to end his career at the World Cup next year. In choosing yesterday, instead, to retire, the New Zealand all-rounder confirmed that, while much of his body is ravaged by injury, his head remains in full working order.
The first reaction is that New Zealand will be weaker for the decision of Cairns, 35, one of the most talented and successful players in their history, who had left the Test stage in 2004 to concentrate on the one-day game. This is because we think of players as being at their best, of what they were, not what they are and what they will be.
If they have not done so already, selectors worldwide must look at their senior players and cull those they believe will be struggling this time next year. It may mean tackling some big reputations, but the memory of Allan Donald, a once great bowler, labouring through the 2003 tournament in his homeland should remain fresh in their thoughts.
The event in South Africa came a year too late for Donald, just as the next is a year too late for Cairns — and for others who must either identify themselves or bear omission. “It is important to retire at a time which allows New Zealand Cricket to develop other options well ahead of the World Cup,” Cairns, whose final appearance for his country will be in the Twenty20 international against West Indies next month, said.
There is no better example than the one closest to home. Darren Gough, 35, threatens to become something of a cause célèbre if he is overlooked by England in the summer, having been left out of the coming series in India. Yet his most recent international performances, last year, were at best disappointing and he struggled in St Lucia in 2004.
Advertisement
To a young player, a loss of form is no more than that. Once past a certain age, it becomes career-threatening. Even Adam Gilchrist is having his credentials questioned after scoring 24 runs in his past five one-day innings — no matter that he struck two hundreds in his previous three, including the fastest ever by an Australia batsman. Brendon Julian, a former Australia bowler, has suggested that Gilchrist, 34, and Glenn McGrath, 35, retire from the limited overs game to prolong their Test careers.
Plans cannot be laid too late. India have begun to lose some of their thirtysomethings. Anil Kumble has not played a one-day international since March, the brilliant V. V. S. Laxman since August. Sourav Ganguly has said that he will play in the World Cup, but what his lordship says no longer goes.
Sanath Jayasuriya is another potential faller, although he is owed some luck after suffering injuries in a swimming pool and a shower in 2005. He will be 37 and in his eighteenth season of international cricket next year, but, whatever fate awaits him, there will be one 37-year-old sure to play. The idea of a World Cup in the West Indies without Brian Lara is unthinkable.