E-Max — The latest money-spinning mantra for cricketers

NAIROBI, October 2: E-Max cricket! That's the buzz here. Now, don't confuse it with some computer virus to have hit the media centre. It's...

NAIROBI, October 2: E-Max cricket! That’s the buzz here. Now, don’t confuse it with some computer virus to have hit the media centre. It’s the latest money-spinning mantra staring the white-flanneled Gods.

These are early days and it is still hush-hush but you find yourself cornered with a pose: “Is it. Is it not?” The Indian cricketers are too scared to confirm but rumours are thick. E-Maxco, an India-based company being promoted by TV channel Set Max and PCM International are camping here in the Kenyan capital with copies of contracts, and obviously, blank cheques too.

Any cricketer putting his signature and there could be some indeed will not play international cricket for the country again. He would rather do that for money. E-Maxco is doing a Kerry Packer and will have a parallel TV-oriented world series where the cricketers will thus be reduced to 25-over-a-side pyajama cricket. That’s E(ntertainment)-MAX(imum) cricket for you!

One is reminded of the late 70s when the Packer-Australian Cricket Board feud split the cricket world into two. It was a blessing in disguise as the cricketer got his due recognition as a `professional player.’ Today, the situation is far more ominous for the `Gentleman’s Game.’ Post match-fixing, the sponsors are reluctant, fans seems disinterested and the tension is almost palpable. Maybe, that’s why the E-MAX menace has the potential to tempt iffy cricketers.

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