Ewen Chatfield played 43 Tests and over 100 one-dayers for New Zealand, forming a lethal opening bowler combination with Richard Hadlee. He gained fame in the most painful way, hit in the head by a deflected ball from Peter Lever. I was sad to read about his present situation, earning his living by driving a cab around Wellington, NZ.

And that is just one story. There are literally tens of thousands of cricketers playing professional cricket across the world who are not making any money worth talking about. If it weren’t for the love of the game, cricket would have been dead today.

That is why the rise of Twenty20 and the efforts (however poor) of the ICC in  promoting cricket around the globe should be applauded. The increasing popularity of cricket and the influx of money is not just good for the superstars, but also for the cricketers at the bottom of the food chain.

In this context, the BCCI’s attempts to destroy the ICL is contemptible. What we want is not just more cricket sanctioned by the governing bodies, but simply more cricket everywhere. Has anyone thought about why the ICL exists at all? If cricketers could make enough money playing “official” cricket, the ICL would have no supporters today.

It is an affront to justice that a cricketer can play for his country or state for years bringing joy to millions of viewers and finally have to live in poverty. They are not looking for a handout. All they ask is that they be allowed to participate in opportunities when they have the health and capability to do so.