Alistair Bushe: Will overseas cricketers be back this summer, and if not will anyone miss them?

Coronavirus restrictions meant that ‘pros’, who have been a divisive presence in our club game since the 1980s, were almost entirely absent during the 2020 campaign.

It was mostly, with some exceptions which I will get to later, a battle between locally born or least locally qualified cricketers.

The season, with relegation scrapped and major competitions like the NCU Challenge Cup and Irish Cup postponed, was delayed until June by lockdown and by the time competitive fixtures belatedly started, almost all clubs had decided that it was simply wasn’t worth the hassle (and of course the hefty cost) of bringing over a professional.

A year on and the situation is once more clouded in uncertainty.

The early optimism that came with the vaccination programme has given way to a new wave of pessimism regarding travel to and from the UK.

Holidays outside the UK remain banned, and strict quarantine restrictions continue for anyone attempting to get into the country.

While cricketers aren’t coming here on a holiday, how well would it look for clubs here to bring across sportsmen from, for instance, coronavirus hotspots like South Africa?

Even for those clubs who have recruited away from South Africa, logistical issues remain.

There is certainly an argument that clubs would be best calling it quits and save themselves, and the players themselves a lot of hassle.

Some clubs are more optimistic than others.

One Premier League club, who were earlier this year buoyant about the prospect of their professional flying in without any issues from the subcontinent, are now adopting a wait- and-see policy with the season facing an almost certain delay and uncertainty continuing about how social distancing restrictions could impact on youth coaching in particular.

Others are more optimistic, but even they have highlighted the issue over South Africans.

As things stand, any South African cricketer coming into the UK would have to spend two weeks in the controversial quarantine hotels established by the government.

Even if your professional is prepared to stomach that grim prospect, there is the extra £2,000 cost to cough up to pay for the dubious privilege.

It can be of little surprise that many cricket agents in England have advised clubs to look towards the sub-continent instead.

If bringing in overseas professionals once again proves impossible what would cricket here lose?

Firstly, 2020 established that good crowds don’t hinge on overseas pros.

It was the prospect of seeing Paul Stirling in the flesh for North Down last summer that prompted bumper numbers for the Robinson Services Cup finale at Comber in September.

Of course there was one what you would call typical professional in the NCU.

Ruhan Pretorius, the South African all-rounder, had stayed in Northern Ireland over the previous window and started the clock ticking towards Irish qualification.

Pretorius is an outstanding cricketer, and a look back at last season’s statistics on the excellent Cricket Europe website was a telling reminder of how pros normally dominate.

Pretorius topped the batting aggregates with 409 runs in 10 matches.

Chris Dougherty, the CIYMS left-hander, was next on 312 with Alistair Shields, the North Down captain, on 260.

Pretorius’ batting average of 68 was streets ahead of anyone else’s.

It was refreshing though to see local names dominate the top slots after Pretorius.

North Down fans might not agree, but the cricket might have been more competitive had Pretorius not been here.

Take the Robinson Services semi-final against Instonians.

Pretorius smashed an almost absurd unbeaten 120 not out out of the North Down total of 179.

That kind of innings has been too typical of other overseas professionals who have dominated over the years at the expense of local players.

Woodvale, where Pretorius will play his cricket this summer, won’t complain if he repeats that this summer, but the overall benefit to our game is negligible.

Of course in Pretorious’ case Irish cricket will benefit if he ultimately becomes a full international but many pros don’t leave a legacy.

Let’s also not forget the financial implications.

Clubs are paying eye-watering sums to fly in professionals, pay them wages, accommodation and transport.

Waringstown reinvested the money earmarked for a professional last summer on an improvement project in the Roy Harrison Pavilion.

If all clubs ultimately decide to spend their money elsewhere perhaps cricket would be better in the long run.

Don’t hold your breath though.

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Alistair Bushe

Editor