Australia captain Pat Cummins has requested a separate window for the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) and the oldest format of the game – Test cricket. Cummins said that franchise cricket is considered more lucrative than international cricket in some places as well. The veteran also added that Test cricket in Australia is usually from November to January and having a fixed schedule will help everyone decide on their participation as well. Cummins, who led Australia to the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) trophy, also led the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) to the final of the 2024 IPL as well but lost to KKR.
Speaking at the MCC World Cricket Connects 2024 at Lord’s, Cummins was quoted as saying by Sydney Morning Herald (via The Times of
India): “Franchise cricket for some countries is more lucrative, more appealing than international cricket. If I went and played franchise cricket, I could probably be away for a half or a third of the amount we are for Australia. In Australia, you know Test cricket is from November to January and basically no other cricket is going to get in the way of us playing Test cricket then. If we can have specific windows for IPL but then also Test windows, that makes the decision-making for the players a lot easier.”
Earlier, England white-ball captain Jos Buttler had also said that the IPL should be free of international cricket. It is also noteworthy that, Buttler and his England teammates Phil Salt and Will Jacks had missed the IPL 2024 playoffs due to a T20I series against Pakistan as well.
He told Sky Sports (via News 18): “It’s my personal opinion that there shouldn’t be any international cricket that clashes with the IPL. I think that these games have been in the calendar for a long time. Of course, leading into a World Cup, your No. 1 priority is playing for England and performing for England. I feel like this is the best preparation.”
Cricket Australia chairman Mike Baird was quoted as saying by Sydney Morning Herald (via The Times of India): “There was discussion around sharing economics and acknowledgement across the board that larger countries would potentially play a role in that. We don’t feel (Cricket Australia) should dictate to any country, but we’re open to ideas and proposals on how to support Test playing full stop.”There’s a summer to fill, and white-ball cricket can play a role, but (Test cricket) still remains the dominant game in Australia. It is very clear Australia will support and invest and grow Test cricket opportunities as long as we possibly can.”
