Hectic IPL could affect bowlers in Champions Trophy, says Shane Bond

After a hectic Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017, top international bowlers may find the going tough heading into June 1-18 Champions Trophy, according to former New Zealand pacer Shane Bond.

In a column for the International Cricket Council (ICC), Bond said the hectic travel schedule for the IPL leaves little time for regular net sessions. He feels bowlers coming off the event will face the challenge of adjusting to increased workload in the Champions Trophy.

“Because of the condensed schedules in the IPL, and the heat and the travel, the bowlers haven’t been bowling a lot in the nets,” he wrote.

“Going into the ICC Champions Trophy, where the top bowlers will be expected to bowl their quota of 10 overs, (it) will pose unique kind of challenge in terms of the bowlers not having had enough of a workload.

“It is important that it is not just your skills that are up to speed, you need to have had miles in the legs as well,” he explained.

Bond said players will need to make a few rapid changes in terms of both adjustment and attitude when they switch from the 20-over format to the 50-over one.

“There are a couple of things that will be different in England and Wales from the IPL. One is, of course, the heat, and going from India to the UK will be a bit of a relief,” he said.

“The other, obviously, is time on the feet – from an hour-and-ahalf to three-and-a-half hours. All the players have been training and are in good shape physically, so this adjustment shouldn’t be particularly demanding, but the issue of bowling workloads is another matter altogether,” he added.