Australia head coach Justin Langer backed the players to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020, saying Cricket Australia must allow its top players to participate in the premier T20 league if the tournament gets underway later this year amid the Coronavirus pandemic.
Langer also believes that Australia’s scheduled limited-overs tour of England in September must go ahead “for the health of world cricket” after international cricket resumes in England.
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Australians are due to visit England to play three ODIs and as many as T20Is which is still in line to go ahead despite the logistical challenges posed due to the pandemic and Langer said the tour should go ahead, saying they must find the solution to make this tour happen amid the COVID-19 crisis.
His comments came after resumption of live cricketing action following a 117-day hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic with England taking on West Indies in the first Test of three-match Test series at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton from Wednesday (July 8).
Langer was quoted as saying by Daily Telegraph: “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.”
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He further added, “That's my view. I think for the health of world cricket. If things out of control happen and we can't end up going, at least we can say we've done everything in our power to make it happen.”
Meanwhile, with the ICC T20 World Cup 2020 likely to be postponed this year, the BCCI is looking host the IPL 2020 around that time October-November window and Langer feels the authorities must allow the Australian players at least its top players like Steve Smith and Pat Cummins to play in the cash-rich league even if it means they miss the start of the domestic season.
Langer signed off by saying, “I think we have to. Talking frankly. 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.”
(With Daily Telegraph Inputs)
