Will Cricket Australia ask Australian players to forego IPL contracts?

Tags: Coronavirus, Australia, IPL

Published on: Mar 18, 2020

In the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak causing panic across the globe, a new report has now emerged claiming Cricket Australia may advice Australian players to forego their lucrative IPL contracts. The 2020 edition of the IPL has already been postponed from March 29 to April 15 following the rise of COVID --19.

According to Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts, they will not direct the players as their contracts with IPL franchises are on an individual level. However, they could chip in for a discussion and players can take their own call.

"We can provide advice. We're conscious of the fact that Australian players are individually contracted to the IPL and the time will certainly come very soon where players are going to be really interested and leaning on our perspective as their leader... to advise them in that regard," Roberts said in a PTI report.

"And then there will also be a perspective from the BCCI and their IPL division within that and together with our players and the BCCI, I am sure players will reach the best possible decisions in uncertain circumstances," he further added.

According to The Australian newspaper Cricket Australia is reviewing whether their players should take part in the IPL or The Hundred series in the UK. As many as 17 Australian players have a contract with IPL franchises.

At the auction last year, fast bowler Pat Cummins became the highest paid overseas player ever when he was picked up Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 15.5 crore. Apart from Cummins, ex-skipper Steve Smith, opener David Warner and big-hitting Glenn Maxwell are among the other high-profile players with IPL contracts.

Meanwhile, Cricket Australia declared New South Wales the Sheffield Shield champions after the final was cancelled due to Coronavirus. Cricket Australia is however hopeful of hosting the men's T20 World Cup as per schedule in October.

"We're really hoping that all forms of sport can be played again in a few weeks or a few months' time," CA chief Kevin Roberts was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

"None of us are experts in this situation obviously, so our hope is that we're back in very much normal circumstances come October and November when the men's T20 World Cup is to be played," he added.

The men's T20 World Cup is scheduled to begin with the pre-qualifiers from October 18-23 followed by the main event from October 24. The final is slated to be held on November 15 at the MCG.

"And at this stage we're planning on November 15, to have a full house at the MCG to inspire the world through men's cricket as the women's cricketers did here just last week," Roberts added.

The coronavirus has claimed more than 7,000 lives and has thrown the sporting schedule out of gear. Apart from cricket tournaments, other major sporting events like Euro 2020 and French Open have been postponed even as the International Olympics Committee (IOC) has maintained that the Tokyo Games will go on.

--By A Cricket Correspondent

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