Shimron Hetmyer's ₹8.50 crore annual IPL fees earned from Rajasthan Royals or Andre Russell's ₹16 crore retention fee from Kolkata Knight Riders is an indication how cricket's financial landscape has changed and playing for the West Indies isn't a motivation anymore.
It is the money that matters and has created the biggest hindrance for Cricket West Indies (CWI) from at least keeping the top players interested throughout the year.
During the ongoing World Cup qualifiers, West Indies didn't have the services of Hetmyer, Andre Russell or Sunil Narine, all of whom are not in the 18 member central contract list released last year by CWI. All of them had voluntarily opted out as they do freelance in T20 leagues throughout the year.
