IPL 2021 Phase 2: In what comes as good news for the IPL franchises, New Zealand players would be available for the remaining IPL 2021 matches in the UAE. As per reports, a franchise official has confirmed that the Kiwi players have informed them about their availability during the September 19-October 15 IPL Phase 2 window. That means Kane Williamson, Kyle Jamieson, Trent Boult amongst 8 Kiwi cricketers will return for their respective franchises. However, with New Zealand playing Pakistan during the same window, some players might need to choose between national commitment and IPL duty.
According to a report by Cricket.com, New Zealand cricketers have informed their respective franchises about their availability during IPL phase 2.
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“We are much relieved now. BCCI are in talks with English and Australian boards to come to a consensus regarding this. Given April and May are earmarked for the IPL, they are right to raise their own objections, but we are now confirmed to witness New Zealand players in action,” one of the franchise officials told Cricket.com.
IPL 2021 Phase 2: The likes of Trent Boult, Kane Williamson and Kyle Jamieson have become key members of their IPL franchises. If Trent Boult spearheads the pace attack for Mumbai Indians, Kane Williamson is the newly appointed captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad while Kyle Jamieson has become an important player for Royal Challengers Bangalore with his pace. Hence, missing them would have left huge voids in the team and could have hurt the teams’ balance.
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With England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) already confirmed that it would not allow English players to return for the IPL 2021 Phase 2, New Zealand and Australian cricketers would play an important role. However, Cricket Australia has also stayed mum on the issue. While Pat Cummins (KKR) has already pulled out as per reports, Australia captain Aaron Finch has hinted that most players could also give IPL a miss.
“This is only my personal opinion, I think they would find it hard to justify going back and playing that second half of the IPL purely based on the workload coming up with a T20 World Cup then a huge home summer. It’s a tough situation everyone has been put in but personally, I’d find it hard to do that knowing how challenging it is mentally and on your family,” Aaron Finch told SEN WA.
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His thoughts were further cemented when Australia’s chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said that CA is planning for a tri-series during the window. As top Australian cricketers including Pat Cummins, David Warner and Glenn Maxwell amongst others gave the West Indies and Bangladesh tour a miss, they could choose to play in the tri-series and give IPL 2021 in UAE a pass.
“Around that time of the year, I would certainly hope so (that players forego the IPL for national representation),” Hohns was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
However, a BCCI official said he is sure that Australians will be available for the IPL. “We don’t have any information about this Tri-Series. We are sure these players will be available for IPL,” said one of the BCCI officials.
IPL 2021 Phase 2: However, for Kane Williamson, Trent Boult and Kyle Jamieson, returning for IPL 2021 Phase 2 would not be easy. New Zealand will tour Pakistan during the September-October window for three-match ODIs and as many T20Is. With the India series cancelled due to IPL, New Zealand may choose to play warm-up matches before the ICC T20 World Cup that is likely to begin on October 18.
Furthermore, New Zealand Cricket Board may not allow their players to leave for IPL and risk injury before the T20 World Cup. That would make it difficult for the players to return to IPL. If they do choose to return for IPL, they will have to forego national-team commitments.
