New Zealand Cricket (NZC) will be issuing the No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to its IPL bound cricketers as the postponement of the T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia has paved way for BCCI to organise the 13th edition of its T20 league, in UAE.
Despite issuing the NOCs, NZC have cleared that their players will have to do the "due diligence" on health safety protocols themselves. Six Kiwi players are supposed to participate in the IPL 13- Jimmy Neesham (Kings XI Punjab), Lockie Ferguson (Kolkata Knight Riders), Mitchell McClenaghan and Trent Boult (Mumbai Indians), Kane Williamson (Sunrisers Hyderabad) and Mitchell Santner (Chennai Super Kings).
"Regarding the IPL, NZC will be issuing NOCs to the relevant players and it's up to them to decide," NZC spokesperson Richard Boock told PTI via email. The NZC will be updating its players about the health safety protocols and latest COVID-19 related developments.
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BCCI is looking to hold the IPL from September-end till November in the UAE where the Coronavirus pandemic has been brought under control, as compared to first choice India, which has more than 12 lakh cases of the virus, the third most affected nation in the world, behind Brazil and the USA.
"Well, yes, the issuing of NOCs is considered on a case-by-case basis and it's rare that they are ever refused. However, the due diligence is something for the respective players to shoulder - although we are happy to pass on as much info as we can to assist in these matters," Boock added.
SRH’s Kane Williamson had recently talked about wanting to know more about the safety protocols that will be employed considering that the event is likely to be shifted to the UAE, which has a lesser COVID-19 case load than India.
"NZC doesn't have an opinion on the IPL being staged in the UAE. It's not within our remit," Boock made it clear about NZC's stand on the issue.
Apart from the players, in the support staff group, former New Zealand players who are in IPL franchises roster are Stephen Fleming (head coach CSK), Shane Bond (bowling coach MI), and Mike Hesson (RCB head coach) among others. Danny Morrison and Simon Doull are in the commentary panel.
Boock also confirmed that New Zealand A team’s tour to India has been officially cancelled. "My information is that the A tour of India will not be happening. It was decision taken by mutual agreement between both the boards," Boock said.
(PTI inputs)
