English players can earn decent money if they are good enough at county level. Plus there is the benefit system. This is designed to give long serving players an important payday towards the end of their career to help them through the difficult transition to a post cricket career. It is a big factor in determining where geographically players play and for how long. With no recognisable path to the top for English amateur cricketers, there is a danger that we can be too prescriptive about what is the right age to consider appropriate or passed it.
Cricketers mature at different times.
Batsmen can take a while to work out their most effective method of playing and fast bowlers are rarely physically mature until at least their mid twenties. In our professional system we have to allow players the chance to reach their peak without distractions of other careers. It is easy to use the county cricket players as a scapegoat, especially as selections this summer suggest that their efforts are futile in pursuing higher acclaim. But they are just a part of a system that has been in need of an overhaul for many years. Whilst players are presented with this system to reach the top, there is no alternative but for them to use it to the best of their ability.