The chairman of selectors George Bailey has been defending several star players including veteran batsman David Warner and Pat Cummins. Bailey defended the players for skipping Australia’s tour of Pakistan.
The bowling trio Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood as well as the opener David Warner will head to play the Indian Premier League. After the completion of their first Test tour of Pakistan in 24 years.
IPL hindering the Pak series for the star players
The four key players are signed to play in the IPL and the tournament is around the corner. The lucrative tournament is all set to begin on April 2. This means that they will be sitting out on Australia’s three ODIs and the single T20 international against Pakistan.
George Bailey raised eyebrows within the cricket community as he defended the decision and said it was a grey situation. The four stars picking to play in the lucrative IPL is when George Bailey defended them for not being a part of the tour.
George Bailey’s statement on his defense
Bailey said that they have worked really hard with their multi-format stars for the long term. It is not just limited to the Pakistan series ahead of the Indian Premier League, George Bailey added.
It is the long run that Bailey is aiming for, as there is an ensuring factor that they are maintaining their best. A lucrative league like IPL will not be in the way of them playing for Australia in the medium and longer term.
George Bailey also added that they are constantly managing and working with the stars around their personal situations. They are also making sure that the players get what they need for them to perform well.
The selection panel will continue to be quite practical in the way of approach against each series
Aggressive batsman Glenn Maxwell also got opted out of the games as he is all set to get married in India in late March.
George Bailey announces Australia’s White-Ball Squad
Finch (cap), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green (WA), Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Ben McDermott, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.
