England head coach Chris Silverwood has cleared the smokescreen in front of the fans about the English players staying back for the entire IPL 2021. He has said that all players will be allowed to play the whole of IPL 2021 season without worrying about the Test series against New Zealand.

There were question marks about the English players in the IPL being allowed to stay in India until the end of the tournament as they have a Test series to play back home against the Kiwis just 3 days after the IPL 2021 Final is scheduled in Ahmedabad.

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Silverwood told the British media during a virtual press meet, "We haven’t looked at selection for the Test yet, but, for me, playing for your country is a big thing. It’s difficult to change anything, so they will be staying for the whole IPL as it stands at the moment.” 

The two-match Test series against the Kiwis was announced in January 2021 and hence is not a part of the World Test Championship (WTC). New Zealand will prepare for the WTC Final against India with the two Tests to be played at Lord’s in London and Edgbaston in Birmingham.

England’s Test team also has its next fixture against India when the two teams lock horns for 5 Test matches from August 4 to September 14.

(With inputs from PTI)