IPL 2021: I was a little surprised that so many of the Australians went over there says Mark Taylor

Former Australian skipper Mark Taylor is surprised to see so many of his Australian compatriots continuing their IPL duties as a player and a part of the management of their respective franchises. With the second wave of COVID-19 creating a ruckus all over India, three Australian cricketers, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson have pulled out of the tournament midway. 

However, there are fourteen Australian players present in the IPL at the moment along with coaches and commentators and Mark Taylor is surprised to see them continue their duties. He further added that with guys like Pat Cummins earning a huge amount from a single season, it is hard for them to quit the tournament but for someone like Steve Smith who was bought at 2.2 crores he was surprised to see him continue. 

“I was a little surprised that so many of the Australians went over there. If you’re Pat Cummins, he’s on something around (Rs 15.5 crore), so that’s very hard to knock back for six weeks of playing cricket,” Taylor said during a discussion on ‘Channel 9′.

“Steve Smith was an interesting one because his contract was about Australian dollars 350,000 (Rs 2.2 crore with Delhi Capitals), which is not to be sneezed at but for a guy like Steve Smith, it’s not as big a contract as it probably should have been. I was surprised he decided to go,” Taylor added. 

Australian opener Chris Lynn recently made a comment that the Australian Cricket Board should organise a chartered flight for all of his members to help them fly back after the tournament. He had also said that since the board takes some per cent of their IPL salary it’s their duty to make sure that the players return home safe and secure. Taylor called the comment “very rich”. 

“I think Chris Lynn’s comments were very rich, absolutely,” Taylor said was quoted as saying on Sports Sunday.

“The 10 per cent Cricket Australia does receive from a player’s contract over there surely has got something to do with actually providing the cricketer with some coaching, education along the way to become an IPL-worthy cricketer,” he further explained. 

While players like Zampa, Tye and Kane Richardson have returned home there are several Australian players and coaches still continuing their duties. Despite India going through tumultuous times, Taylor feels that the players and the coaches are feeling secure in the bio-bubble atleast for the moment. 

“Ponting is over there, Warner, Brett Lee there. Good mates of mine, Brad Haddin, Trevor Bayliss are coaching over there. I haven’t heard much from them apart from that, they’re there to see (out) the end of the tournament,” Taylor said.

“A lot of the players have actually said they feel comfortable in the bubble they’re in; but what they would like once the tournament’s over…"

“I think the Australian players and coaches are hoping that they’ll get home ASAP. That is what they’re after at this stage,” Taylor signed off.