Fighting against the IPL is not a smart move: Andrew Strauss

ECB director and former England skipper Andrew Strauss has hinted at certain change that will see a strong participation from the English side in the Indian Premier League. England were not much in favor of the IPL during its initial years but gradually softened their approach. Many English cricketers took part in the IPL and the numbers have only increased.

In fact, several England players skipped the series against Ireland to participate in the IPL this year. And if Strauss’ indication is something to go by, then ECB might think about making a separate window for the IPL, so that the players can play without any national commitments.

“They are already missing the odd international game,” Strauss told Sky Sports. “I suppose what we’ve got to think about are our high priorities – what are the ones that we want our best XI on the park and also our best XI in a really good frame of mind, both mentally and physically to perform.

“And what are the series where we can have a look at it and say ‘this might be a series where we can rest one or two and bring one or two new faces into the environment, so they get a taste of what it’s like’, so it’s not a surprise if and when they are playing in a more important, or a higher profile series down the road’,” he added.

ECB backing its players and the IPL

“The schedules allow our players to play most of the tournament,” he said. “We’re always looking at workloads and how best to manage our players but I think we also have to accept that for us as an international team to fight the IPL is probably not a smart move going forward.

“So we’ve got to accept it’s there, gets maximum benefit out of it and realise that actually – as well as helping players’ bank balances, it really does help their development as cricketers as well. We need to find opportunities for our players to do that.” he said.

“If the IPL aren’t looking at our players and saying ‘these guys are going to add value’ that’s probably an indication of where we actually sit. If they are saying our players can add value, that’s a good place for us to be,” Strauss said.