Andrew Strauss, the England’s Director of Cricket, has a decision to make. With several of his best one-day players putting themselves forward to be a part of this year’s Indian Premier League, Strauss needs to confirm whether all or some of them will be recalled early from India for two One-Day Internationals against Ireland on May 5th and 7th. It is not a straight-forward call.
On the one hand, many will feel England duty should be sacrosanct, that the primacy of international cricket over global one-day tournaments should be the foundation of the English cricketing structure. Were players such as Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes and Eoin Morgan allowed to miss international games for the IPL, the importance of playing for England will, despite protests to the contrary, undoubtedly be diminished.
Strauss does have previous in that regard. He allowed Morgan to miss a ODI against Ireland last year, a move that raised many an eyebrow and, although England’s one-day captain is expected to lead the team against the country of his birth this year, others may be allowed to remain in India and use the IPL to prepare for the Champions Trophy in June rather than the games against Ireland at Lord’s and Bristol.
Should Strauss make that decision, it may come at a cost. Short-term, players who miss the Ireland games would have just three ODIs against South Africa with which to prepare for the Champions Trophy, get used to 50-over cricket and the conditions in England. Any players who remain in India until mid-May will have little time to acclimatise ahead of the tournament. England cannot afford for any of their players to be under-done.
Longer-term, allowing players to miss international duty opens up a can of worms and the possibility for it to occur more regularly in years to come. Already, the decision to allow Morgan to skip the game last year looks wrong. Since it happened then, why couldn’t it happen every year? This season, it’s an ODI, next year, maybe a Test? Anytime Strauss rejects a request for a player to remain at the IPL in the future, he can now be accused of double standards.
English cricket has battled for years to keep international cricket the highest priority for its players. As England captain, Strauss refused to allow Kevin Pietersen to miss England duty to play in the IPL and only recently have the players been encouraged to put themselves forward for it. That is an accommodation of their cricketing and financial ambitions but has always been on the understanding that England came first. Any challenge to that principle is a dangerous one.
The decision is complicated this year because England’s stated priority for the summer is the Champions Trophy and it is arguable that the preparation on offer in the IPL provides England’s players with greater intensity and quality of cricket than they would get from two ODIs against Ireland. Resting some first choice players may also allow fringe players to get some game time and stake a claim for the squad.
The quality of the Irish team has raised this possibility. It is almost unthinkable that England would allow a player such as Stokes to miss a game against Australia or India so close to a major tournament. That it is being considered at all is in many ways disrespectful to an improving Ireland side but also recognition of the limitations of England’s opponents compared to the quality of the IPL. Strauss has much to consider.
Perhaps the experience of those England players who have played in the IPL will convince Strauss to let them stay for the full stint. “It’s [the IPL] is the best cricket experience I’ve ever had,” said Buttler ahead of the second ODI against India in Cuttak. “I felt like I learnt not just about Twenty20 but about myself, all forms of cricket, what it takes to become a top cricketer. I have only good things to say about it.
“From my point of view, it would be great if more English guys were involved and experiencing playing in these conditions and in front of these crowds with the pressure of being an overseas player. That can only stand you in good stead for when you play for England and different knock-out competitions. It’s a great experience to be a part of.”
Although Joe Root has ruled himself out this year’s IPL in order to spend time with his new-born baby, alongside Buttler and Sam Billings, who have both been retained by their franchises from last season, Stokes, Morgan and Jason Roy are expected to be in the ballot which takes place in early February. Others, such as Alex Hales and Adil Rashid, may also consider joining them.
Buttler himself understands the difficult choice that the clash presents. “At the end of the day, you want to represent England,” he said. “The management will make the call on players and the availability for the Ireland games. They’re important games for growing the game of cricket too. I understand it’s a tricky situation. The IPL is a great experience but playing for England is a fantastic opportunity and privilege. It’s a tough question.”
That it is and one that will be viewed closely by England’s supporters. Strauss will not want to suggest for a moment that England duty, no matter the opponent, should be viewed as anything other than the first priority. Winning the Champions Trophy is this summer’s aim but he must be aware of the long-term consequences of any decision he makes.
