Picture Credit: BCCI
The 14th edition of the Indian Premier League is about to commence tomorrow. Several marquee Indian cricketers are keen to prove a point or two to their respective franchises. Given the recent run that the national side has enjoyed in all formats, one expects a cracker of an IPL.
However, the BCCI is also mindful of the fact that the Indian team has qualified for the ICC World Test Championship final against New Zealand, scheduled for later this year in Southampton. Considering this, the BCCI is ready to help the Indian Test cricketers by providing Dukes balls in case they want to practice with the red ball during the course of the T20 tournament.
As reported by the PTI, a senior BCCI official said, "In case any of the Test players feel that they are able to devote time for some red ball sessions, the BCCI will provide them with a set of Red Dukes and they can train. For any help, national team coaches are always a phone call away."
With the IPL ending as late as May 29, it is very clear that the Indian boys will not get much time to acclimatize to the conditions in the UK. On the other hand, the Kiwis will be well prepared as they will be touring England for two Tests, early June.
Explaining more on the situation and solution, the official stated, "You won't get full 20 days for training. If IPL ends on May 29 and the team travels on May 30 or 31st, as of now there will be close to a week of hard quarantine in the UK. Effectively you are left with 10 days of nets and no matches. So it's only fair that if some of them can pull in a few sessions without hampering the franchises' schedule, it would be great."
New Zealand name 20-member squad for World Test Championship final against India
New Zealand have named a 20-member squad for their Test tour of England, including the World Test Championship final against India. Rachin Ravindra, Jacob Duffy and Devon Conway have received maiden Test call-ups.
New Zealand full squad:
Kane Williamson (capt), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Devon Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling (wk), Will Young.