Bangalore release McCullum
Brendon McCullum has lost another T20 deal after being released by Indian Premier League side Royal Challengers Bangalore.
The team announced yesterday that the former Black Caps captain was one of 10 players they had released, deciding not to retain him on his $770,000 contract.
McCullum tweeted his thanks to the
that’s just the reality.
‘‘What we can do is put in place for the guys in the IPL a programme that hopefully allows them to be 100 per cent ready and just keep talking to our players around where they’re at and what they can still do in that IPL period to give them a best chance of being ready.’’
While the top Australian players earn well over $1 million, the top-two Black Caps earners Williamson and Boult just nudge over $400,000 if they play the bulk of New Zealand’s international fixtures.
The IPL more than doubles their earnings. Williamson was secured by Sunrisers Hyderabad for $612,000 at the last player auction and Boult fetched $490,000 from Delhi Daredevils. team and captain Virat Kohli.
‘‘Thanks to the skipper and all the team for an enjoyable time in last seasons @IPL.’’
McCullum, 37, scored 127 runs in six matches at an average of 21.16 with a strikerate of 144.31. The news comes 11 days after the Lahore Qalandars decided not to retain McCullum for the next edition of the Pakistan Super League.
The IPL schedule is yet to be confirmed but the fact it will be shifted back to allow a gap before the World Cup meant NZC was happy to let its players go for the duration.
‘‘It was a big discussion point before we found out the IPL was finishing earlier. With that in mind we’re pretty happy with our preparation for the team leading into the World Cup,’’ Stronach said. ‘‘It would have been really hard if the players had to go straight from the finals into the World Cup, but with that gap it creates a buffer.’’
New Zealand’s home season ends on March 20 after the third test against Bangladesh in Christchurch. Black Caps contracted players are permitted annual leave to play in the IPL, they will then
Retained