3 England players who should be protected during IPL 2019
Indian Premier League is a well-maintained cash cow for BCCI and its stakeholders. Since its inception, the T20 tournament has been a first choice destination for all those players, who aspire to be a part of professional T20 league. The cash-rich tournament has featured players from many associates and top-tier cricket nations.
But in 2019, it will be the first occasion in its 12-year history, that the tournament has been scheduled just a few weeks ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, which is scheduled to begin on May 30, 2019. While IPL 2019 dates are yet to be revealed, it is expected to end in the first half of May 2019.
Due to these circumstances, cricket boards including England and Australia are reluctant on issuing NOCs for IPL 2019 edition. Both have already revealed that their players won't be available after 30 April due to preparations for the ICC pinnacle event. While they may decide to protect few players from IPL gruelling schedule, which increases the injury concerns as they may not want to miss a player service due to unwanted injuries.
So, without much ado, let's take a look at the players that 2019 World Cup hosts England should protect during the IPL 2019.
#3 Jos Buttler
Jos Buttler has been an integral part of England’s CWC 2019 plans and is considered to be their first choice wicket-keeper for the tournament. The Somerset boy is among the top wicket-keepers in the international circuit and is a formidable middle order batsman.
Buttler has been quite exceptional for the English team in ODIs. In his 122 fifty over outings, the wicketkeeper has affected 177 dismissals comprising of 153 catches and 25 stumpings. He has been the backbone of the team's middle order in 2018 amassing 671 runs at an average 51.61, which is quite decent considering his middle-order position in batting.
He played for the Rajasthan Royals in the 2018 edition of the IPL and has been retained by the franchise after a splendid season with the bat. He ended 2018 season as a top run scorer for Royals and amassed 548 runs in 13 matches before he was called back for national duties.
The wicketkeeper-batsman has been in a great form in recent times and can be a trump card for his national team in World Cup 2019. So losing him in CWC squad due to injury might be a big blow for England and will have to protect to him for the all-important World Cup