After New Zealand, Cricket Australia also consider issuing NOC to its players for playing IPL 2020

Cricket Australia (CA) mentioned that they will consider issuing NOCs to their players who are set to play in the Indian Premier League once BCCI makes an official announcement. Earlier, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) had announced that they will issue No Objection Certificate (NOC) to all of its players who will feature in the cash-rich league.

NZC’s spokesperson Richard Boock while announcing the same mentioned that the board has left it on the players whether they want to participate in the tournament or not. This came after BCCI officials confirmed that IPL 2020 will be played in UAE as the situation in India is not appropriate due to COVID 19.

“Yes, NZC will be issuing NOCs for New Zealand players participating in the IPL. We leave it up to the players to decide whether or not they want to participate and request NOCs,” Boock said as quoted by Scroll.

There are six Kiwi cricketers who are set to play IPL this year: Kane Williamson (SunRisers Hyderabad), Trent Boult (Mumbai Indians), Mitchell McClenaghan (Mumbai Indians), Jimmy Neesham (Kings XI Punjab), Lockie Ferguson (Kolkata Knight Riders), and Mitchell Santner (Chennai Super Kings).

14 players from Australia are contracted with IPL franchises

While Cricket Australia followed the footsteps of its neighbouring country to deliver NOC to its players, a Cricket Australia representative said: “Should the tournament be confirmed, Cricket Australia would then make its considerations accordingly.”

There are 14 cricketers from Australia in IPL –Aaron Finch (RCB), Josh Philippe (RCB), Kane Richardson (RCB), Chris Lynn (Mumbai Indians), Nathan Coulter-Nile (Mumbai Indians), Josh Hazelwood (CSK), Shane Watson (CSK), Alex Carey (Delhi Capitals), Marcus Stoinis (Delhi Capitals), Glenn Maxwell (Kings XI Punjab), Pat Cummins (KKR), Chris Green (KKR), Steve Smith (Rajasthan Royals), and Andrew Tye (Rajasthan Royals).

After the postponement of World T20 that was supposed to be played this year, there is a window available from September 19th to November 10th. The BCCI might go ahead with the same dates as mentioned by the sources within BCCI. However, the final decision will be made only after the IPL governing council meeting.

“So, we discussed this date (September 19 to November 8), we had an informal discussion on dates but a final decision will only be taken in the governing council meeting. We also have to discuss other things including training camp, SOP, etc. More clarity can only come after the meeting,” a source said.

Cricket has suffered a lot due to this ongoing pandemic and IPL is one of the major tournament affected. The broadcasting company also wants the IPL to happen from 26th September to include Diwali weekend of mid-November in the IPL window.

It will be interesting to see what final call is made by IPL governing council on the same. Earlier, IPL Governing Council chairman Brijesh Patel had confirmed that the IPL 2020 will be played in the UAE. “IPL 2020 which was postponed due to coronavirus will now be held in UAE,” Patel had said.