Former captain Geoffrey Boycott is not impressed with England cricketers’ decision to prioritize the Indian Premier League(IPL) over national duty.
Geoffrey Boycott Slams England Players for Choosing IPL
Recently, England head coach Chris Silverwood confirmed that England players will be allowed to play the entirety of the IPL, meaning these IPL-bound cricketers will miss the opening Test of the 2-match home series against New Zealand in June.
The IPL ends on May 30 and the first Test between England and New Zealand is scheduled to start on June 2 and with the COVID-19 restrictions in play, the players will miss the Lord’s Test.
“England messed up with a rotation policy in India and must stop treating players in a namby-pamby way. Players seem to forget the IPL would not come calling for them if they had not performed for England first. So they owe a debt of gratitude and loyalty to put England first,” Boycott wrote in the Daily Telegraph.
“I would never stop them from earning that but not by missing games for England to do it.”
While the former England opener is all for players leaving England’s bio-secure bubble over mental health issues, he has also pointed out that no player is seen to do the same during the IPL.
“But I bet you will not see any of our players leaving the IPL because they miss their wife, girlfriend or kids. If players want to go home for a break from England duty, dock their money. Better still don’t select them unless they can agree to be available for a whole series.
“It is a barmy way to run English cricket, they should all be ashamed and embarrassed,” he added.
Though many controversies arise many cricket experts claims that many cricket board support players to skip national duties in focusing T20 World Cup. As the upcoming T20WC is scheduled to play in India this year’s IPL will definitely play a crucial role.
Also read: England Skipper Jos Buttler Opens on Skipping Home Game for IPL
