Cricket Australia yet to discuss players’ participation in IPL

Nick Hockley said a decision on IPL can wait as Australian players were just reunited with their families after completing a two-week hotel quarantine.

Melbourne: Cricket Australia on Monday said it’s yet to start discussions on whether Australian cricketers would compete in the IPL when the T20 league re-commences in the UAE in September.

Nick Hockley said a decision on IPL can wait as Australian players were just reunited with their families after completing a two-week hotel quarantine. Close to 40 Australians, including players, coaches, officials and commentators were part of the IPL bandwagon before the league was halted on May 4 after Covid-19 breached its bio-bubble.

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“Once we get back together as a group that (IPL) is something we’ll obviously need to discuss,” Hockley was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo. “Our players returning from the IPL have only today come out of quarantine, so our first priority is to make sure they are reunited with their families. We have a tour to prepare for in the West Indies,” he added.

Hockley said the players will regroup at the National Cricket Centre (in Brisbane) in a couple of weeks before the West Indies tour and that would be the time to refocus. “They are clearly quite shaken by the experience, and are very appreciative to be back home, very much looking forward to being reunited with family and friends today.”

The IPL will resume in the UAE in mid-September when Australia do not have any international commitment. However, concerns have been expressed that spending time in bio-bubbles one after another could affect players’ mental health.

Nick Hockley appointed CEO of Cricket Australia

Melbourne: Cricket Australia on Monday appointed Nick Hockley as its new chief executive officer almost a year after he was recruited on an interim basis, during which he oversaw the conduct of the high-profile tour by India amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Besides the India tour of Australia, he was also in charge of successfully delivering the domestic competitions in a complex situation brought about by the global health crisis, which badly affected CA’s original cricket calendar. CA said Hockley has served with distinction as its interim CEO since his appointment last June after the departure of Kevin Roberts.

Wiser after his experience as the cricket body’s acting CEO, Hockley is hoping to build on the momentum. “I am under no illusion about the importance of cricket to the lives of so many Australians, nor the magnitude and responsibility of this role,” Hockley said in a release issued by CA.

“Leading Cricket Australia is the greatest privilege of my working life and I am committed to doing all I can to making a positive contribution to the game and the community.”

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