England's IPL players not to feature in Test series vs New Zealand: Reports

The England players who were a part of now suspended Indian Premier League 2021 will not feature in the Test series against New Zealand slated to take place next month as they lack red-ball practice, reports have suggested. 

This would mean that the likes of Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Chris Woakes, Sam Curran, and Moeen Ali are likely to miss the Test series against the Blackcaps. 

The cricketers are presently serving the mandatory 10-day quarantine after they returned from the IPL and the isolation will end at the weekend. 

“The timeline is considered too tight for the (IPL) returning players, meaning calls up are expected for the likes of Ollie Robinson, Craig Overton and James Bracey,” according to a report in BBC Sport.

“While fitness levels could be managed, the lack of red-ball practice could be a concern — particularly with other options having spent several weeks competing in the County Championship,” said another report in The Independent.

In fact, the England men’s cricket managing director Ashley Giles had also hinted earlier that the players returning from the cash-rich league won’t be a part of the Test series against the Kane Williamson-led side. 

There are as many as 11 England players who were a part of respective IPL franchises in the edition. The tournament was suspended with immediate effect on May 4 after there was a surge in the Covid-19 cases within the franchise teams.