Jonny Bairstow says the IPL will improve England’s fortunes across all three forms; Michael Atherton wonders if the ECB could be more flexible in asking its multi-form players to rest during the spring T20 competition
Last updated: 20/02/21 3:17 pm
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England batsman Jonny Bairstow believes the IPL helps players to perform better in all three forms of the game.
England batsman Jonny Bairstow believes the IPL helps players to perform better in all three forms of the game.
Plenty of England players will feature in the 2021 Indian Premier League – but could some of them have jumped out of the competition or even been knocked out by the ECB amid a full calendar?
One by one, the richness and learning experiences that come with taking part in the main T20 competition are obvious attractions.
However, in a year in which England will play 17 Tests, including the start of the Ashes, and aiming to win the T20 World Cup in India, the IPL could have been be a great time for their players to relax.
It is also possible that any players from England whose sides are reaching the stages of the home’s two-Test series could be dragged to New Zealand in June, with the dates set against each other. .
Bairstow, on a white-only contract with England, will play for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL
Jonny Bairstow, in England’s Test plans but currently only on a white midfield contract and earning less than those on multi-form contracts, says it would be difficult for the ECB to tell some players that to play in the franchise competition.
The 31-year-old, part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad squad in the IPL, also says the tournament is developing players across all formats.
“I think for boys who are under a white ball contract, you can’t say ‘no go’ because that’s the kind of contract they have in England. If you go for big money, it’s very It’s hard for anyone to put it down, “Bairstow said.
“People going to the IPL and developing their skills doesn’t mean they’re developing their skills for T20 cricket.
“It develops their skills for ODI and test cricket as well as playing with and learning from some of the best players in the world, especially with the T20 World Cup coming up here in It covers all three forms. “
Jofra Archer became MVP of IPL 2020 after starring for Rajasthan Royals
Speaking of Hussain and Main Cricket Show, Sky Cricket expert Michael Atherton said the ECB may have shown more flexibility with their multiplayer players.
The former England captain said: “This year we are saying that you need to be flexible about everything and it seems to me that the only area where no one is to be flexible is the IPL, which seems unlikely. can be treated this year.
“I think England could have told the players ‘you can play a month of the IPL but we have to take some of the rest of you in the IPL too’.
“The multi-contracted players – Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler et al – receive close to seven-figure sums from the ECB.
Jos Buttler is a key player for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL (Pic credit – BCCI)
“So I think it would have been entirely reasonable for the ECB to say that there could be some flexibility this year – this unique year where everything has to be give and take.
“Every year this year the players will be allowed to play in the IPL as England are not going to hold any Tests in that part of the year.
“It’s a different situation for Bairstow and Moeen Ali who, on white ball contracts, get less than the multi-format players get.
“It’s a very old-fashioned system now. This thing of building 12 red-ball and 12 white-ball players like daisies and shining a light on how flexible the system is with voters are trying to circulate.
Moeen Ali was acquired by Chennai Super Kings for £ 700k in an IPL auction on Thursday
“Just have 20 to 25 players and band them as you think you use them over the year.”
Fear Atherton Sky Cricket Expert David Lloyd said: “Player welfare is a No. 1 priority – but the IPL is just blowing it up.
“There are players who want to play. Why do they want to play there? Because it pays amazingly and there’s nothing wrong with that.
“You have to measure everything together. If you need a break from England in this disappointing record they got in this amazing year, surely you need some rest during the IPL period?”