“Australia must tour England for the “health of world cricket” and let its top players compete in this year of IPL 2020 if it happens” Australian head coach Justin Langer said on Thursday.
After a 117 days long hiatus, International cricket returned on Wednesday as England played West Indies in their backyard in a rain-hit opening day of the first three tests.
However, much of the global event remains up in the air due to COVID-19 including the T20 World Cup which is scheduled to be held in October, and the IPL which is temporarily suspended for now.
The T20 World Cup is expected to be postponed as the biggest challenge is to host 16 international teams amid the pandemic, and the Indian board is hoping to use that window for the cash-rich league.
As India is expected to visit Australia in December for a four-test series, Langer said Australia should allow its top players like Steve Smith and Pat Cummins to play in the IPL, even if it means they might miss the start of the domestic season.
“I think we have to. Talking frankly,” Langer said.
“I’ll always look for win-win situations and hopefully we do that when we get some clarity on what’s happening with the schedule.”
Australian cricketers will lose a big amount If IPL 2020 gets cancelled this year which is around 86.75 crore Indian rupees.
Among the 11 Australian Cricketers with IPL 2020 contracts, four – highest ever salaried foreigner Pat Cummins (₹15.5 cr), Steve Smith (₹ 12.5 cr), David Warner (₹ 12.5 cr) and Glenn Maxwell (₹10.75 cr) – are in the elite ₹10 crores + bracket.
That signifies that Australian cricketers earn maximum money from IPL as an overseas cricketer and will be facing a huge loss if the cash-rich league doesn’t happen this year.
“I think we have to go to England. There are lots of challenges, of course, but we have to find solutions to make sure that can happen if possible,” Langer said in comments published by the Daily Telegraph on Thursday.
“I think we have to go to England. There are lots of challenges, of course, but we have to find solutions to make sure that can happen if possible,” Langer said in comments published by the Daily Telegraph on Thursday.
