'You will constantly have players going towards more money' - Jason Holder suggests 'football model' to save Test cricket

West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder has opined that the authorities have to find a window for Test cricket in a year so that they can have their players available. His remarks came after skipping the away Test series against Australia to take part in the International League T20 (ILT20). He is part of Dubai Capitals, owned by Indian Premier League franchise Delhi Capitals' owners GMR Group.

While speaking about his decision to skip the Australia tour, Holder stated that after extended discussions with Cricket West Indies, he opted to play in the franchise cricket. The 32-year-old added that it doesn't mean he will not play Test cricket anymore. 

“Ideally, it's not what you want in terms of international cricket… having a choice between franchise and international cricket. But particularly after the long negotiations with Cricket West Indies, this was my decision. Unfortunately, it didn't work out where we could have had another avenue. From discussions with Cricket West Indies, it was pretty clear that I needed to be in Australia for the T20s, particularly it being a T20 World Cup year.

“So, yeah. It's just unfortunate, I guess. But it doesn’t mean I’m turning my back on Test cricket. That is still my favourite format, and I definitely will be available going forward. But for me, I just wanted to make sure that I'm giving myself the best chance to prepare myself for the T20 World Cup,” Holder said during an exclusive chat with Hindustan Times. 

He went on to speak about the future of Test cricket, stating that West Indies did not have proper financial resources which is why they are far away in the format compared to other countries. The 32-year-old believes the perfect way to save Test cricket is to have a window every year. If the players get adequate compensation they can play well in the longest format of the game, according to Holder.

"The only way you can honestly see Test cricket being saved is… if you have a window for Test cricket in a year so that you can have your best players available to play there. And on top of that, you need to compensate players fairly. It can’t be a situation where Australia and India are up there, and all the other teams are way, way down below. So, when you've got a situation -- a dilemma -- similar to mine, where you can play a Test series for X amount and a franchise for three times the amount, you will constantly have players going toward more money. If we could come up with a model where you can have a minimum wage where you can’t fall below a particular threshold, it would actually incentivise players to say, ‘Well, look, this is the benefit of me playing Test cricket’.

"I think, maybe, cricket may go in the football model where you have an international window and you've got the franchise window. Maybe that might be a model going forward, but who knows?" 

"At the end of the day, it's still a job. As much as we love to play cricket and entertain the fans… for us, It's still a profession. Players have their own situations and scenarios regarding family dynamics, and you've got to provide for your family. So, at the end of the day, I've got to give myself the best chance to make the most of it in the short tenure that I have in professional sports. The only other thing I would say is that you need to find a window. Find specific pockets where there's no clash with domestic leagues," the Windies star added.