No immediate plans to withdraw England players from IPL amid coronavirus crisis
There are no immediate plans for England’s Indian Premier League contingent to leave the tournament despite a growing sense of unease at the surge of coronavirus cases in the country, the PA news agency understands.
The IPL has been carrying on against a grim backdrop of a public health emergency, with daily infections now topping 350,000 and reports of oxygen shortages and a lack of hospital capacity.
Three Australian players – Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson – pulled out over the weekend, with Australia reportedly ready to stop incoming flights from India.
Meanwhile one high-profile India star, Ravichandran Ashwin, has also stood down to help support his extended family through the crisis.
There are currently 11 English players still involved in the competition and, while it is understood there is a rising nervousness about the situation, no withdrawals are thought to be imminent.
The England and Wales Cricket Board is liaising with the players, providing advice and information in addition to that which is already forthcoming from the respective franchises, but continues to view the matter of continued participation as an individual decision.
A spokesperson for the ECB told PA: “We continue to monitor and work with the players on an individual basis. We are offering advice daily to those that seek it. Our thoughts are with the people of India during these difficult times.”
Ben Stokes’ IPL campaign was ended by a broken finger, Rajasthan Royals team-mate Liam Livingstone left last week citing bubble fatigue – though the worsening pandemic may have played a role in his decision too – and Jofra Archer was unable to join up with the squad after finger surgery.
That leaves one-day captain Eoin Morgan, Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Dawid Malan, Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Chris Jordan, Chris Woakes, Tom and Sam Curran and Sam Billings still involved.
While there is a firm appetite at the Board of Control for Cricket in India to keep the show on the road, albeit behind closed doors, further exits of high-profile overseas imports or influential India internationals like Ashwin could put the tournament in doubt.
It is not due to be completed until May 30, with just a third of the scheduled 60 games having taken place by Monday morning.
Latest
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australia ‘sandpapergate’ ball-tampering controversy erupts
The incident led to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft being banned from playing for Australia.
-
England
Andrew Flintoff would be excellent England coach – Rob Key
The former national team captain will lead Northern Superchargers in The Hundred this summer.