Hamish Marshall walks out on New Zealand

[aussie1st]

Hamish Marshall has dropped a bombshell on New Zealand, refusing a national contract for 2007-08 so he can play county cricket as a Kolpak player. The decision means Marshall's international career is on hold indefinitely, as he cannot represent New Zealand while he is classified as a local player in England.

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Big risk by Marshall seeing as he hasn't even cemented his spot in the NZ 11. It could work out for him in that he finally reaches his potential while also pocketing a little cash but could backfire if he NZ Cricket don't pick him when he comes back.

 

[kookaburra69]

He was only in the team as a fielder anyway,No big loss there.

 

[Almost_Austwick]

You can still pick his brother, what more do you want!

Seriously, it says a lot about a player when they'd rather choose money over playing for their country. Yes, cricket is short career but once you've made the top rungs you're well enough rewarded to enjoy some degree of financial security.

I think it's fairly safe to say that New Zealand cricket is better off without players with this attitude. The sad thing is though that due to a lack of depth if he does finally fulfil his potential New Zealand will probably take him back happily.

 

[andrew_nixon]

Cricinfo makes a mistake... he has an Irish passport, so is playing as an EU player, not a Kolpak player.

Anyway, I wouldn't read too much into this, I suspect it's a ploy by Gloucestershire to get an extra overseas player.

 

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

Good decisison . He was out of form and never batted well when Kiwi faced big teams . No loss for Kiwi

 

[mattfb]

Yeah i didn't think he was much of a threat so a good choice to mabye find some form.

 

[BigCrickNan]

I think it is a decision similar to Jacque Rudolph's, he doesn't feel ready for international cricket yet. Could work out well, or it could end his international career.

 

[irottev]

There seems to be mixed views. But in my opinion, it's good he went. Lets face it, he wasn't performing to his potential in our International Side.

I think moving over there and playing lots of cricket will do him a lot of good. Then if he comes back next season or even after 2 or 3, he can have another crack. I'd be surprised if he never returned. I think it's a good move by him. And we still have his brother indeed, who is really just an exact copy without the experience. There isn't really a lot of difference in their ability.