IPL 2024: David Willey to miss initial matches for LSG due to personal reasons

David Willey, who is a part of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), is set to miss the first few matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 due to personal reasons. The left-arm speedster was with the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the last two editions of the IPL. However, in the 2024 IPL auction in Dubai, he was roped in by the Super Giants for his base price of INR 2 crore.

LSG's new head coach Justin Langer revealed on Wednesday, March 20, that Willey would not be available from the start of the 17th season of the cash-rich league. The England pacer has spent the last couple of months on the road, playing for the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in ILT20 and Multan Sultans in the recently concluded PSL.

"With Mark Wood pulling out of the tournament and also David Willey won't be coming now either, that means we lack some experience. But what I've also seen in the last couple of days is that we have enormous talent. Some of our guys have had some injuries but they all look very fit at the moment," Langer said when asked about LSG's pace attack, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

"They look fit and healthy and they're very hungry, so we'll just have to manage them well so that we can get them through and work through the whole tournament, not just the start of the tournament. We've got one overseas player up our sleeve if required, where we might be able to add some experience," he added.

According to reports, Willey hasn't been replaced as yet by the Lucknow-based franchise and he could join the squad in the latter stages of the tournament. He has been away from home for most parts of the English winter, starting with the ODI World Cup 2023 in India. The 34-year-old returned home after playing in the PSL final on Monday, March 18. He represented Multan Sultans, who lost to Islamabad United in the title decider in Karachi. During the tournament, Willey was in fine form with the ball as he bagged 15 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 20.40, conceding runs at a decent economy rate of 7.46.

I've also seen in the last couple of days that we have enormous talent: Justin Langer

Mark Wood, who was due to play for the Super Giants in IPL 2024, was pulled out of the entire tournament by the ECB to manage his workload ahead of the T20 World Cup in June. Willey's absence is going to deepen the concerns of the LSG management. However, Langer noted that there is a lot of talent in the bowling department and they are hungry to do well on the big stage.

"With Mark Wood pulling out of the tournament and also David Willey won't be coming now either, that means we lack some experience," Langer said when asked about LSG's pace attack.

"But what I've also seen in the last couple of days is that we have enormous talent. Some of our guys have had some injuries but they all look very fit at the moment. They look fit and healthy and they're very hungry, so we'll just have to manage them well so that we can get them through and work through the whole tournament, not just the start of the tournament. We've got one overseas player up our sleeve if required, where we might be able to add some experience," the former Australian opener added.

While Langer rued the fact that Wood won't be available for the season, he pinned his hopes on West Indies sensation Shamar Joseph and 21-year-old Delhi pacer Mayank Yadav to bring the firepower to the pace-bowling department.

"Mark Wood is a world-class bowler, isn't he? And he pulled out after the auction, which is disappointing but this is the world we live in," Langer said.

"We also have Shamar Joseph, we have Mayank who bowls with very good pace. Hopefully, we can replace, not [Wood's] experience, but his pace with Shamar Joseph and Mayank. He'll be missed - of course, he'll be missed, he's a world-class bowler - but this is the world we live in and we will adapt and we will be OK," he ended.

Also Read: 'He's strong, he should be in the squad' - Chris Gayle bats for Shamar Joseph's inclusion in West Indies' T20 WC squad

Lucknow begin their quest for a maiden IPL title on Sunday, March 24, as they travel to Jaipur to take on former champions Rajasthan Royals in an afternoon fixture.