So, what has the IPL ever done for us?

The editor of Cricket Statistician analyses recent events

THE IPL is dominated by superstars from all around the world, but the annual clash with the early days of the English season means that very few English players have taken part: those on central contracts will not normally be given permission, and those who are not will mainly be of little interest to IPL franchises.

This year, however, the ECB decided that three players regarded as white ball rather than red ball players (how easily one slips into these new idioms) would be given permission to go to the IPL.

Eoin Morgan, of course, has been before, but Jos Butler and Chris Jordan were new to the league. It is all experience, but what evidence is there that this may have improved their games?

Morgan played for Sunrisers Hyderabad, the eventual winners, and was picked for seven of their 16 games. He played six innings with a top score of 51 and a total of 123 runs at a strike rate of 117.14. Mind you, as good a batsman as Kane Williamson, playing for the same team, played the same number of innings and scored only one run more at a slower rate.

Batting stars for the team were David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan who were automatic choices, but Morgan was not picked for the three knockout games at the end, being behind Yuvraj Singh and Moises Henriques in the pecking order. Given his experience, the only benefit here will be to his bank balance.

The other English player who made it to the final was Chris Jordan, who was brought into the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad as a replacement. Bowling in the final he took 3-45 in his four overs, helping to restrict Sunrisers to 208, a total RCB looked to be achieving easily until the middle and late batting fell to pieces.

He was then run out for three as things got desperate. He played nine matches, but this was the only time he batted. In those nine games he took 11 wickets at 23.45 and conceded runs at 9.21 per over. Jordan is seen as a “death bowler” and the experience may have helped.

Then there was Buttler, playing for Mumbai Indians and fetching a very respectable price. The Indians didn’t make it into the knockout stages. Buttler played in all 14 games, but averaged 23.18 with a top score of 41. A strike rate of 138.58 was at least respectable and he did hit 11.

He was only asked to keep wicket in four of those matches. Buttler having come back is one of a number criticising the structure of the T20 Blast – too many teams, too long a tournament. The experience was probably useful, but he did not justify his price.

One other Englishman played a part season. Sam Billings played five games for Delhi Daredevils, batted four times and made 85 runs, which was disappointing, with 54 from 34 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders his only real contribution.

And, of course, there is another point. England’s players have been used to being among the best paid in the world, but if they are missing out on the IPL and the other big T20 tournaments they will be the poor relations.

Buttler’s criticisms, too, suggest that English cricket will have to rebuild its T20 competition sooner rather than later.