London: England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) managing director Ashley Giles has hinted that the contracted England players involved in Indian Premier League are unlikely to feature in the rescheduled IPL. Giles has clarified that national duty will take inclination over a rescheduled IPL 2021 if there is a conflict in plans.
IPL has been suspended indefinitely last week due to the increasing coronavirus cases in the bio-bubble. Only 29 out of 60 matches have been done and half of the tournament is still left. There is still no official announcement when and where will the remainder of the IPL will take place. However, there is a potential window before the T20 World Cup in October. However, England is scheduled to visit Bangladesh and Pakistan preceding the T20 World Cup. This is around a similar time the BCCI is intending to finish the rest of IPL 2021.
“We’re planning on the involvement of England players in England matches. We’ve got a full FTP schedule. So if those tours to Pakistan and Bangladesh (in September and October) are going ahead, I’d expect the players to be there,” the former spinner stated.
Earlier, Giles had agreed that England players who were involved in the latter stages of the IPL could miss the two-Test series against New Zealand which is scheduled to start from June 2. “The New Zealand scenario was very different. Those Test matches were formalised at the end of January, by which time all those contracts and NOCs (no objection certificates) were signed for full involvement in the IPL. None of us knows what a rearranged IPL looks like at the moment. where it’s going to be or when.” he added.
“But from when we start this summer against New Zealand, our programmed is incredibly busy. We’ve got a lot of important, high-profile cricket including the T20 World Cup and the Ashes. And we’re going to have to look after our players. The New Zealand scenario was very different. Those Test matches were formalised at the end of January, by which time all those contracts and NOCs (no objection certificates) were signed for full involvement in the IPL.” Giles concluded.
