Jos Buttler wants to make sure that international cricket games do not overlap with the Indian Premier League (IPL). The owners of IPL teams are upset because England players had to leave before the final matches.
Eight players from England’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, including Buttler, left the IPL last weekend to get ready for the World Cup. They have a four-match T20 series against Pakistan, but the first match at Headingley was canceled due to heavy rain.
The IPL owners thought they would have their English players until the end of the tournament. Former England captain Eoin Morgan said it would have been good for the players to stay in the IPL. Will Jacks, Reece Topley (Royal Challengers Bangalore), Phil Salt (Kolkata Knight Riders), and Buttler (Rajasthan Royals) missed important games to return home.
Buttler’s wife is expecting their third child soon, so he planned to come back. The England management decided to bring all the players back when the provisional squad for the World Cup was named earlier this month.
“It’s really frustrating, we’ve had a good couple of days’ prep,” Buttler told Sky after the match in Leeds was canceled. “Wearing the England kit and playing in England is amazing. It’s disappointing not to play, but there are three more matches to look forward to.
“My personal opinion is that international cricket should not clash with the IPL. But as England captain, I need to prepare for the World Cup. I told Rob Key I would come back, and he decided the rest of the players should come back too.”
It is rare for England matches to overlap with the IPL, but this year’s schedule made it almost unavoidable. In 2021, England allowed players to miss a series against New Zealand for the IPL. This time, they decided the players needed to come home to prepare for the World Cup after their poor performance in the 50-over World Cup in India last year.
Jofra Archer is expected to return to international cricket at Edgbaston on Saturday. The teams will then move on to Cardiff and The Oval before flying to the Caribbean for the T20 World Cup.
