CA will back Australian players who don't want to return to India for IPL: Report
Melbourne (PTI): Australian players who have returned home after the suspension of the IPL and don't want to return to India for the remainder of the high-profile tournament will get support from Cricket Australia, according to a media report here.
All the Australian players in various IPL teams have already reached home. Only some former players like Ricky Ponting and Brad Haddin, who are among the coaching staff, are still in India. Other coaches, including Justin Langer and Mike Hussey, have also landed back due to border tensions between India and Pakistan.
But the players may be asked to return as the IPL is set to resume within this week after the announcement of ceasefire on Saturday.
"Shaken Australian players will be defended by Cricket Australia should they refuse to return to the Indian Premier League on safety grounds," the 'Sydney Morning Herald' declared.
"Fear and anxiety remained prevalent emotions among Australian players ... as all made their way home from the IPL, leaving the likes of Ricky Ponting and Brad Haddin among coaching staff still in India."
Not just safety issues, the players are also concerned about the prospect of "being pressured to return to the tournament and then frozen out of future editions of the IPL should they choose not to".
"In that light, CA will defend the rights of players to make their own calls about returning to the IPL on a case by case basis, taking the view that their decisions should not be held against them for the future," the report said.
There is also the issue of a tight cricket calendar and if the IPL continues beyond the originally planned May 24. All the Australian players would require fresh "no objection" certificates from CA in order to return, the report said.
Test players such as Travis Head, Mitchell Starc, captain Pat Cummins and fellow fast bowler Josh Hazlewood are to spend a few days at home before flying to the UK ahead of the World Test Championship final at Lord's against South Africa.
That match will be immediately followed by a three-Test tour of the West Indies.
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Experience comes when you play bigger teams in bilateral series: Rashid Khan
Chennai (PTI): Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan called for more bilateral series against stronger cricketing nations after his team signed off from the T20 World Cup on a high, defeating Canada in their final group match here on Thursday.
Afghanistan played some exhilarating cricket, going down to South Africa in a gripping second Super Over after the scores were tied, a humdinger that provided one of the early thrills of the World Cup.
However, the spin-bowling stalwart said Afghanistan could make significant strides if they get regular opportunities to compete against stronger cricketing nations.
"Couple of areas to improve, with the batting, the middle order got a bit stuck against the big teams, and then with the bowling the death overs. That comes when you play the bigger teams in bilateral series," said Rashid after his team defeat Canada by 82 runs, with him returning excellent figures of 2 for 19.
The stalwart said the side had arrived well prepared for the tournament and produced some breathtaking cricket, but admitted the narrow defeat to South Africa proved costly and remained a painful setback.
"We were well-prepared (for the tournament), we played some unbelievable cricket. The game against South Africa, that really hurt everyone. We had to win one of those (first two) games and see how the tournament unfolded. We'll take some positive things from this World Cup and look forward," he said.
With head coach Jonathan Trott set to part ways with the team, Rashid described the departure as an "emotional" moment for the side.
"I think we had some wonderful times with him. Where we are now, he played a main role. It's emotional to see him leave us, but that's how life is. We wish him all the best and somewhere down the line we see him again."
Ibrahim Zadran, who was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 95 off 56 balls, said it was satisfying to finally register a substantial score after two below-par outings.
"I enjoyed it, didn't play better cricket in first two innings, which I expect. Wanted to back my skills, really enjoyed it. Pressure was there, it's there all the time. I want to put myself in pressure situations and enjoy it," said Zadran.
"Wanted to play positive cricket, rotate strike and punish bad ball, create partnerships and this is what I have done."
