Black Caps stars may miss test at Lord’s
New Zealand Cricket won’t block its stars’ full participation in the Indian Premier League, even if it means they miss the end of the Black Caps’ home season and the first England test at Lord’s.
Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Mitchell Santner and Tim Seifert are IPL-bound next month, and could be joined by several team-mates among 20 New Zealanders entered in tomorrow’s player auction in Chennai. Kyle Jamieson looks the most likely to snare a firsttime deal after his memorable breakout year in international cricket.
Exact dates of the IPL are unconfirmed but it will reportedly be held at several Indian venues from the second week in April until late May or early June.
New Zealand cricketers haven’t yet missed a test match for the IPL, although the last three England tours in 2008, 2013 and 2015 saw the IPL contingent arrive just days before the first test.
Covid-19 means a crammed 2021 schedule and extensive biosecurity arrangements, and inevitable crossover between franchise tournaments and international cricket.
Asked about the prospect of captain Williamson, Boult and others missing the first test at Lord’s from June 2-6 if their sides reach the IPL finals, NZC chief executive David White said: ‘‘NZC will take a pragmatic approach as these fixtures are a late addition to the schedule. We will work through the decision in conjunction with the players.’’
This essentially means NZC won’t dig its toes in for the sake of two England tests which were announced last month and don’t count towards the World Test Championship final, which the Black Caps have already qualified for, on June 18-22 at either Lord’s or Southampton.
The Independent reported England’s IPL contingent Jofra Archer, Ben Stokes, Sam Curran, Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow were almost certain to miss both tests against New Zealand, with the second scheduled for Edgbaston on June 10-14.
India look the Black Caps’ most likely opponents in the WTC final but Australia and England remain in the running, depending on results of the final two tests of the current IndiaEngland series.
NZC has always backed its players attending the IPL during their annual leave period in April-May, acknowledging it can’t financially compensate them like the bigger nations.
The Black Caps’ top earners Williamson and Boult collect in the vicinity of $400,000 from their NZC annual retainers and match payments, with their IPL salaries reportedly upwards of $500,000.
White said it wasn’t yet confirmed as to when the New Zealand contingent would need to join their IPL franchises.
Depending on biosecurity arrangements it may be mid-to-late March, which means they would miss the three Bangladesh Twenty20 internationals on March 28, 30 and April 1, and potentially the three ODIs beforehand (March 20-26).
‘‘We are still awaiting advice as to when the IPL will start and what the MIQ protocols will be, but will take a pragmatic approach in the event of any clash,’’ White said.
That could have a silver lining in terms of Twenty20 World Cup hopefuls and a potential international debut for young batsman of the moment Finn Allen, unless he snares an IPL deal himself tomorrow.
Assuming Williamson, Boult, Ferguson, Santner and Seifert, and potentially Jamieson miss the Bangladesh T20s it opens the door for Allen, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Todd Astle, Doug Bracewell, Jacob Duffy and others who missed the 13-man squad for Australia to push their cases.