Australian players are all set to miss a major chunk of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019, as Cricket Australia confirmed the availability schedule of its players on Thursday (November 15).

The decision could very well see the IPL franchises releasing Aussie cricketers from their rosters with less than 24 hours still remaining to come up with the list of released players.

CA came up with the strict guidelines keeping the 2019 World Cup in mind. The World Cup is slated to be held in England from May 30. The itinerary of IPL 2019 has not been released yet but the cash-rich event is expected to start on March 29 and culminate in the third week of May.

Players involved in the Sheffield Shield final will only be released once that is concluded on April 1. On the other hand, 15 players picked for the World Cup will have to attend a mandatory training camp in early May and play warm-up matches.

“It is a difficult period with the IPL being brought forward to accommodate the Cricket World Cup, and overlapping our domestic season,” CA’s Belinda Clark said.

“We are committed to respecting the position of the Sheffield Shield, while ensuring Australia’s World Cup squad is well prepared for this critical world event, while also ensuring those that are fit to play have opportunity to participate in the IPL.

“While this is no easy feat, I think we have managed a reasonable balance that will enable the players to consider their options and choose what is right for them and their respective teams,” she added.

Leading up to the World Cup, Australia are also scheduled to play an ODI series against Pakistan that could overlap with the start of the IPL. CA also made it clear that the players would not be released until the conclusion of the one-day series.

“It is imperative that we ensure Australia is in the best possible position as we head into the Cricket World Cup and the 2019 Ashes series. This means prioritising our focus on match readiness and the health of our players,” Clark asserted.

(With Reuters inputs)