World Cup really put 50-over cricket back on the map: Ian Botham

Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum feels that the T20Is should only be played at World Cups on the international stage, Daily Mirror reported. McCullum who is currently featuring in the Caribbean Premier League for Trinbago Knight Riders also admitted that you be “gun-for-hire” and hope to succeed.

He was speaking to former England all-rounder Ian Botham about how the World Cup raised the platform of cricket in New Zealand. Botham feels that the World Cup lifted the 50-over cricket in the country. This was the first instance when New Zealand progressed to the finals of the ICC mega event.

Ian Botham said: “I think the last World Cup really put 50-over cricket back on the map. Test cricket is king in my eyes, and T20 is the icing on the cake, not the main event.”

The former Kiwi skipper agreed with his idea. “I’d go so far as to say perhaps T20 cricket should only be played at World Cups internationally and then the rest in club competitions around the world,” said McCullum.

Also Watch: Mohammad Amir strikes early on England tour

“Test cricket as the pinnacle is something we try to instil in New Zealand. The T20 leagues are a result of the hard work you’ve put into international cricket and I think some people lose sight of that sometimes,” he added.

“It has been interesting coming over (to England) because it has confirmed to me that you can’t just be a ‘gun-for-hire’,” he said. “You can’t make a proper impact in two weeks, you need to be with the team for a longer period of time, immerse yourself in the competition totally and the culture of the club.”

Also read – An open letter to the Lord’s Cricket Ground YouTube team

“If you bring guys in for a couple of weeks to boost the profile, I don’t think it helps anyone. I’m working with Middlesex to see how we can make it work for longer, for three or four years to immerse myself with them, so that becomes your club,” he concluded.