Twenty20 stars in shop window for IPL
THIS may be the start of England’s last chance to win a series in india this winter but there is no question of the agenda dominating three twenty20 matches that bring their gruelling two-legged tour to an end. the indian Premier League — and specifically which England players will be snapped up in the auction on February 4 — casts a giant shadow over a short-form series that begins here today and goes on to Nagpur and Bangalore. three twenty20 games against india with franchises watching on represent a shop window for those like Ben Stokes, Jason Roy, Moeen ali and tymal Mills, who could earn lucrative IPL deals. Captain Eoin Morgan may well miss out on an IPL return because he is committed to leading England in two internationals against ireland. Meanwhile, andrew Strauss is having delicate negotiations with players and their agents over who can miss those 50-over games against the irish at Bristol and Lord’s to extend their stay in the IPL. the situation adds extra interest to a series that lacks context in a year when England are building towards the 50-over Champions trophy in June rather than another World twenty20. ‘the IPL auction can be unpredictable but this is an opportunity for guys who may have been fifth on the list for franchises to be elevated to third or fourth,’ said Morgan, who has always been a big advocate of the benefits of England players gaining experience in the IPL. England are expected to make three changes from the side who won the final 50-over game in Kolkata on Sunday, with the fit-again Joe Root replacing the unlucky Jonny Bairstow, Chris Jordan coming in for the absent Chris Woakes and Mills replacing the injured David Willey. all eyes will be on the exciting Mills to see whether his sheer pace and twenty20 experience gained all round the world will see him making an impact against india’s formidable line-up. Not that Virat Kohli appears to consider him a threat. ‘i haven’t seen much of him but i have played 90mph bowling before,’ said a dismissive india captain. ‘Maybe i can comment further after i have faced him but 90mph is not a problem at all. i’ve faced many who bowl that speed.’