Finch picks gap in IPL schedule to marry, buddy Maxwell tags along
MUMBAI: The increasing volume of cricket is not only taking a toll on the mind and body of cricketers, but is also making it tough for them to find time for personal affairs including marriage.
Faced with a similar conundrum, Australian opener Aaron Finch has chosen to go ahead with his marriage the same day the Indian Premier League (IPL) starts in Mumbai (April 7). Finch, who is part of Kings XI Punjab, is now set to miss the first match of his team against Delhi Daredevils on April 8.
Notably, Delhi Daredevils will also have to do away with the services of their newly inducted Australian member Glenn Maxwell -- who will be the master of ceremonies at Finch’s wedding.
Finch, though, admitted that he was not aware of the IPL’S new schedule as he was told earlier that the annual T20 extravaganza would start on April 15. He had planned his wedding on April 7, therefore.
“I saw the fixture this morning - there’s no chance I’ll be missing my wedding,” Finch was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au ahead of Australia’s T20 International clash against New Zealand.
“That’d be a bit tough leaving Amy at the altar, wouldn’t it?”
“The second game we play is on the 13th, that’ll give me plenty of time to get over there and miss only one game luckily.
Maxwell too gave the similar version saying he was not aware of the new schedule.
“They said the IPL was going to start on the April 15th - he thought the dates were set but we found out about three months ago it was going to start on the eighth,” he said.
Finch is not alone when it comes to finding a wedding date that does not clash with the packed international schedule. A few days ago, Australian team captain Steve Smith and his fiancé Dani Willis announced that they would be looking to tie the knot in September this year. Willis, though, was concerned about Smith turning up for it amidst his busy cricketing schedule.
“We’re looking around September so hopefully he’ll be around,” Willis said while speaking to cricket.com.au after Smith won his second Allan Border Medal on Monday. “It’s kind of important that he attends, I can’t Skype him in for that,” she added.
Meanwhile, former Australia captain George Bailey has decided to give up his plans of playing altogether this season to be with his wife Katie, who is due to give birth to the couple’s second child at the end of April. Bailey, who had earlier declined to put his name forward for the IPL auction, announced that he would not be returning to play for Hampshire in English country season as part of his two-year deal.