'ICC has a role to play' - Ricky Ponting on pay disparity in Test Cricket

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes the International Cricket Council (ICC) can help reduce pay disparities in Test cricket. Ponting used the example of West Indies players who prefer franchise cricket over international duties for financial reasons while addressing salary disparities.

Ponting was asked about youngsters wanting to play the five-day game in an era of T20 leagues at an event arranged by the ICC ahead of the World Test Championship final (WTC) between India and Australia at the Oval from June 7. He responded that different countries have different answers to that topic. 

The Australian also stated that it has become increasingly difficult to groom young players in the West Indies, who desire to play Test cricket. He added that their payout system in the Caribbean does not compare to some of the franchise leagues.

"That question has a different answer in different countries. It has become increasingly difficult to groom the youngsters in the Caribbean for instance who want to chase the dream of playing Test cricket," Ponting stated.

"Their payment system in the Caribbean compared to some of the franchise leagues, it doesn't match up and Sri Lanka will be the same and Bangladesh will be the same," Ponting continued.

ICC should make the payments a bit more even across international Test cricket: Ponting 

Ricky Ponting went on to say that in countries like India, England, and Australia, players were paid well to play in the longest format of the game. The 48-year-old urged ICC to address the issue in order to recruit players from different countries who desire to play for their country. He also mentioned that in India most youngsters wish to wear blue caps and the same in his country. 

"It is not the case in India, England, and Australia. You are paid well to play Test cricket for your country and most aspire to play the Test match game. There is a role to play for the ICC here," the former world champion iterated.

Furthermore, the Australian legend wants the apex cricket body to make the payments a bit more even across international Test cricket. Ricky Ponting believes this move will attract players from different countries to get that motivation to play for their country. Moreover, he also revealed that in the past he has already discussed this matter and shared his recommendations with the ICC.

"It is something that has been spoken about at a very high level at the ICC to help that but in India, the feeling I get is that most of these youngsters aspire to wear the baggy blue cap and the same in Australia," Ponting concluded.