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ToggleCricket Australia, on Thursday, announced the members of Australia’s World Cup squad will not play the final weeks of the twelfth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2019.
The announced ends the speculations over the Australian players’ availability for the next year’s IPL. The BCCI is yet to announced the dates of the league. One of the reasons behind the delays is the next World Cup. Recently, reports emerged that the Indian team-management also wanted the franchises to rest the pacers. Later, media reports suggested that the BCCI was planning to start the IPL early so that players could play the entire duration without worrying about fatigue before the all-important World Cup.
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Several reports have suggested that the IPL could end by May 19, 11 days before England take on South Africa in the World Cup-opener. But as of now nothing is clear. But for that, the IPL will have to start early which will then clash with Australia’s domestic season as well as their ODI series against Pakistan in late March. As a result, the Australian players could also miss the start of the tournament.
Now Cricket Australia’s announcements just ahead of the next month’s auction will make things clear for the franchise.
“It is a difficult period with the IPL being brought forward to accommodate the Cricket World Cup, and overlapping our domestic season,” said Cricket Australia’s Interim EGM Team Performance, Belinda Clark.
“We are committed to respecting the position of the Sheffield Shield, while ensuring Australia’s World Cup squad is well prepared for this critical world event, while also ensuring those that are fit to play have opportunity to participate in the IPL.
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“While this is no easy feat, I think we have managed a reasonable balance that will enable the players to consider their options and choose what is right for them and their respective teams.
“We will, as always, assess applications on a case by case basis but it is important the players understand our position in advance, so they have the clarity they need to make personal decisions.
“It is imperative that we ensure Australia is in the best possible position as we head into the Cricket World Cup and the 2019 Ashes series. This means prioritising our focus on match readiness and the health of our players,” added Clark.
Australian players, on their part, have rarely worried about skipping the IPL to keep themselves fresh for national duties. Last year, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins had secured big deals. However, they had later withdrawn due to injuries.
Recently, former Australia opener Simon Katich, who was part of the coaching staff at Kolkata Knight Riders that bought Starc at the auction last year, said IPL franchises are becoming wary of signing big-name Australian bowlers.
“In the past few years, a lot of the Australian quicks haven’t gone to the IPL or pulled out late,” Katich told SEN.
“As a result, the IPL franchises are across this now they’re wary (of) it. A lot of the decisions coming up in the IPL auction in December will be based around the World Cup and those guys who are available, particularly around the quicks.
“We knew it was a big risk (for KKR to buy Starc). He didn’t come … and as a result, it affected the whole dynamic of the squad,” he added.
Earlier this week, Starc revealed that Kolkata Knight Riders released him ahead of the auction.
Meanwhile, New Zealand Cricket has allowed their players to play the entire tournament.
The World Cup will last for 45 days with 48 matches to be played. India will start their campaign against South Africa on June 5. The format for the 2019 edition will see 10 best teams in the world going head-to-head in a round-robin format. The tournament will culminate with the fifth final at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground on July 14.
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