Stuart Law becomes England Qualified

[Andy Mellon]

Well well well... After 9 years of plying his trade in the English county game, Stuart Law has become eligible to play for England as he has gained British Citizenship.

This raises two issues:

(i) England could now play Law, who is an obviously classy player, and would walk into the team if he was 26 and not 36. The question is, is it right that he is eligible to play for England and would we even want him to play for England? Would his selection be a step backwards when Bell, Pietersen and Key are all available?

(ii) Lancashire can now play with another foreign player. Although Law is 'English Qualified', if Lancashire employ a different overseas player, it is still effectively 3 positions in the first XI that young English players cannot occupy in order to gain experience.

Personally, I think Law is a great player, but his selection for England would be a step back. This guy's already played 1 test for Australia and 54 ODIs! I cannot understand how it can be right that he could turn out for England! Even so, I think it is unlikely that he would be selected for England with the number of options currently available. Another question is whether he'd even want to play for England.

[Beny]

If I were a nationlist I would be offended.


Hope England don't play him. Bell or Pieterson should get the call first.

[Occasional Fan]

Originally Posted by Andy Mellon

The question is, is it right that he is eligible to play for England and would we even want him to play for England? Would his selection be a step backwards when Bell, Pietersen and Key are all available?

That's a few questions really, but to me the answers are straightforward. Yes, it clearly is right that he is eligible to play for the country of which he is a citizen. The bloke had to swear loyalty to Her Majesty to get his citizenship, for Pete's sake, which is more than native born Brits ever have to do, so refusing him eligibility to play cricket for the country is just not on. Even so, would we want him in the circumstances of today? No - he's too old to make a debut appearance when the folk you name are also available.

Originally Posted by Andy Mellon

Lancashire can now play with another foreign player.

That's just not true. He's not foreign any more.

[Andy Mellon]

Originally Posted by Occasional Fan

That's just not true. He's not foreign any more.

Touche!

Another point though - imagine if he did get a call up and test match this summer in the Ashes. Can you imagine the flak he'd get from the Australian fans, press and players? I wouldn't wish that on anyone! I would also imagine that a significant section of England fans would not appreciate him playing for England. There would be a hell of a lot of pressure on the guy if he were to make his England debut vs Australia!!

[Milo]

Originally Posted by Andy Mellon

(ii) Lancashire can now play with another foreign player. Although Law is 'English Qualified', if Lancashire employ a different overseas player, it is still effectively 3 positions in the first XI that young English players cannot occupy in order to gain experience.

This is is exactly the same issue as teams allowing the likes of Kim Barnett, Tim Robinson, Gatting etc to play on into their 40s. Law is now a 36 year old English national (I detest the term citizen), and is keeping out young English qualified players as much as the likes of all ex-test players (like those listed above and De Freitas) sitting around waiting for thier second benefit.

[Occasional Fan]

That's another clear reason for leaving him out of the test side, Andy. To be honest, if I were he, I don't think I'd want that job. He loses out whatever happens.

[Occasional Fan]

Originally Posted by Milo

Law is now a 36 year old English national (I detest the term citizen).

Well, technically, Brits are "subjects", not citizens, but I, even though a royalist through and through, have some discomfort with being anyone's subject. My passport (and all those issued to Brits in the last four years or so) uses the description "British citizen", which historians and traditionalists (and pedants: count me among them if you like) would call innaccurate. I've no idea why that changed.

Anyway, Milo, what's in a name? Do you mind if I call you "Comrade"?

[Milo]

Originally Posted by Occasional Fan

Anyway, Milo, what's in a name? Do you mind if I call you "Comrade"?

Comrades in spreading the game of cricket.

[Paoli]

Originally Posted by Andy Mellon

Personally, I think Law is a great player, but his selection for England would be a step back. This guy's already played 1 test for Australia and 54 ODIs! I cannot understand how it can be right that he could turn out for England!

Why is it wrong? He is a citizen now.

[Glamorgan Wanderer]

I have no problem with players qualifying by residency if they have not previously played for another international side. However I think the same rule should apply to cricket as to football - once you have played at international level for one country you are only available for selection by that country thereafter.