England captain Jos Buttler defended the ECB’s decision to prioritize national duty over the IPL, sparking a debate about scheduling conflicts.
England’s cricket team has sparked a debate about scheduling conflicts after several key players left the Indian Premier League (IPL) early to prepare for a national series.
England captain Jos Buttler, along with teammates Will Jacks, Reece Topley, Phil Salt, Sam Curran, Jonny Bairstow, and Liam Livingstone, all departed the IPL before the playoff stage to represent England in a four-match T20I series against Pakistan starting May 22nd in Leeds.
Defending the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) decision, Buttler emphasized his commitment to national duty. “As an England captain, my main priority is to be playing for England. There shouldn’t be any international cricket that clashes with the IPL,” Buttler added, expressing his personal opinion.
Buttler highlighted the importance of preparing for the upcoming World Cup. “These games have been in the calendar for a long time. Leading into a World Cup, your number one priority is playing for England and performing for England. I feel like this is the best preparation,” suggested Buttler.
Sam Curran, who played for the Punjab Kings in the IPL, echoed Buttler’s sentiment. “It was the right thing for us all to come back. It was only fair for all franchises to lose a player,” said Curran, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
However, the decision has caused some friction. Arun Dhumal, chairman of the IPL Governing Council, expressed disappointment. “There was a commitment that [England players] would be available for the entire tournament,” Dhumal told Sportstar. He attributed the issue to a change in leadership at the ECB, suggesting the new management may not have been aware of the pre-existing scheduling conflict.
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Last Updated on May 22, 2024
