As per reports circling in the media, nine IPL-bound Kiwi cricketers will travel straight to England for the World Test Championship final scheduled later to be played in June. With the IPL 2021 suspended, the next big event is the WTC final between India and England to be played in Southampton from June 18. Stuff.co.nz has reported that barring Tim Seifert, Adam Milne and Scott Kuggeleijn, all the Kiwis currently in India will be flying straight to England.
As per the current schedule, New Zealand will play a four-day game versus Somerset from May 25, after which they will take on England in a two-Test series between June 2 and June 4. This will then be followed by a one-off Test against India, the World Test Championship Final, that will be played from June 18-22 at the Rose Bowl in Southampton.
IPL Bound Kiwi Cricketers Set To Fly To England For WTC Final
“We’re confident the players going to the UK will be able to get an exemption and do their MIQ there. We haven’t got the finer details of that sorted yet. We’re working now with the ECB and BCCI to arrange flights to get them over to England,” NZC public affairs manager Richard Boock was quoted as saying by stuff.co.nz.
The IPL 2021 was officially suspended on May 4 after the BCCI and the IPL governing council unanimously decided to suspend the season temporarily after players from different IPL franchises tested COVID positive.
Meanwhile, Rajeev Shukla, the BCCI Vice President said that the tournament has been suspended and not entirely cancelled with such reports making the rounds.
“I want to make it clear that IPL 2021 has been not cancelled. It has been suspended, it has been postponed, it has been deferred, so it will happen. The remaining part of this year’s IPL will happen. But in due course, when the covid situation improves, a decision will be taken about it,” said Shukla.
Also Read: BCCI Looking For September Window For Remainder Of IPL 2021