IPL Auction Setback for franchises – England & New Zealand players doubtful for end of IPL 2021: As reported earlier by InsideSport.co, BCCI has now given written instructions to all franchises that they will have to leave England, New Zealand and South African cricketers for their national duties. South African players will miss first two weeks of IPL owing to series against Pakistan, while England & New Zealand cricketers are likely to miss the business end of IPL 2021 due to 2 match test series starting on 2nd June.
Indian Premier League franchises will have to redraw their strategies before the auctions?
The Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises are now a worried lot. Top foreign cricketers like Kane Williamson (Sunrisers), Ben Stokes (Rajasthan Royals), Jos Butler (RR), Sam Curran (CSK) availability for the last week of IPL 2021 is now questionable. All these names along with many others are expected to leave their IPL franchises mid-way for the sake of national duty.
First it was South African cricketers whose availability is in doubt for the first two weeks of the 14th edition and now it has come to forefront that even England & New Zealand cricketers will be doubtful for the last two weeks of IPL 2021. Reason, New Zealand is scheduled to tour England for two-match test series that starts from 2nd June.
IPL 2021 is likely to conclude in the first week of June and in all likelihood top English and Kiwi cricketers will not be available for the finals and week before that. New Zealand Cricket (NZC) is planning to reach England minimum two weeks in advance for the test series so that they can comply with the local quarantine norms. According to the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) norms as well, England test hopefuls will also be getting in BIO-BUBBLE before the test series.
It is worth mentioning that a total of 21 England cricketers and 20 New Zealand cricketers will be in the fray at the IPL 2021 Auction, Also 8 England players and 5 New Zealand players have been retained in IPL 2021.
IPL 2021 Mini-Auction: 21 England cricketers in the fray
Alex Hales, Jason Roy, Moeen Ali, Dawid Malan, Sam Billings, Mark Wood, Adil Rashid, Tom Curran, Liam Livingstone, David Willey, Ben Duckett, Liam Plunkett, Nayan Doshi, Lewis Gregory, Reece Topley, George Garton, Ravi Bopara.
Retained England Cricketers for IPL 2021
Jofra Archer (RR), Ben Stokes (RR), Jos Buttler (RR), Eoin Morgan (KKR), Chris Jordan (KXIP), Sam Curran (KXIP), Jonny Bairstow (SRH), Chris Woakes (DC)
IPL 2021 Mini-Auction: 20 New Zealand cricketers to go under the hammer
Glenn Phillips, Scott Kuggeleijn, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Corey Anderson, Devon Conway, Martin Guptill, Kyle Jamieson, Mitchell McClenaghan, Finn Allen, Colin De Grandhomme, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Jimmy Neesham, Neil Wagner, Jacob Duffy, Blair Tickner, Daryl Mitchell, Colin Munro, Josh Clarkson
Retained New Zealand Cricketers for IPL 2021
Mitchell Santner (CSK), Lockie Ferguson (KKR), Tim Seifert (KKR), Trent Boult (MI), Kane Williamson (SRH)
IPL 2021 Auction: Delhi Capitals, CSK and others ask BCCI about status of South African players availability
As the IPL franchises gear up for IPL Auctions on Feb 18th, one development is making them very concerned. Cricket South Africa on Friday announced the schedule for Pakistan white-ball tour of South Africa which will end on April 16th. This means top South African players will not be available for the first two weeks of IPL 2021 which is likely to start on April 11th. Some of the franchises have now asked BCCI for clarity on the availability of South African players.
‘If South Africa-Pakistan series is ending on 16th April – that means they will not be available for the first 2 weeks of IPL as we also have to keep quarantine norms in mind. We have asked BCCI to give clarity on this account. It will not make any sense than to bid for the South African cricketers, we will plan our auction strategy accordingly”, said one of the top franchise official.
Also Read: IPL 2021 Auction likely to be 3 way battle between KXIP, RCB and Rajasthan Royals
Overall 14 South African cricketers will be in the fray at the IPL Auction. Beside the Proteas cricketers in the auction list, 7 have already been retained by different IPL franchises for the forthcoming season.
IPL Mini-Auction: 14 South African cricketers in the fray
Chris Morris, Rassie Van Der Dussen, Wayne Parnell, Beuran Hendricks, Hardus Viljoen, Andy Phehlukwayo, Daryn Dupavillon, Morne Morkel, Linde George, D.Pretorious, David Wiese, Gerald Coetzee, Marco Jansen, Jacques Snyman
Retained South African Cricketers for IPL 2021
Faf Du Plessis (CSK), Lungi Ngidi (CSK), Kagiso Rabada (DC), Anrich Nortje (DC), Quinton De Kock (MI), David Miller (RR), AB De Villiers (RCB)
Franchises now have asked the BCCI for exact status of availability of the top South African cricketers. According to the information available with InsideSport, the Indian board is likely to speak to Cricket South Africa over the issue. Post the call, BCCI will inform the franchises about the availability details of the South African cricketers.
CSK & Delhi Capitals will feel the pinch if South African cricketers miss out on first two weeks of IPL 2021
Chennai Super Kings & Delhi Capitals is the only IPL team currently with two South African cricketers in their squad. Opening batsman Faf Du Plessis and paceman Lungi Ngidi are currently in CSK squad and may miss out on first few days of IPL 2021.
Same way DC is concerned about their pace duo Kagiso Rabada & Anrich Nortje and has sought clarity from BCCI.
IPL Franchises are now looking for written assurances from BCCI that top players from South African, New Zealand and England will be available for the full duration of IPL 2021.