Auckland/ Melbourne: New Zealand captain Kane Williamson and Australian pinch hitter Glenn Maxwell have expressed optimism to play in the premier cricket carnival ‘IPL’ after BCCI showing eagerness to stage the tournament in UAE.
Kane Williamson is waiting for more details to come out on the Indian Premier League (IPL), saying it is always amazing to take part in India's cash-rich T20 extravaganza.
The postponement of the men's T20 World Cup in Australia - from October 18 to November 15 -- due to COVID-19 pandemic, has paved the way for IPL to take place this year. The BCCI is planning to hold the tournament in UAE.
"By all accounts the IPL, they're looking to host that tournament which is a fantastic tournament to be a part of and attracts such an incredible audience," he said on the sidelines of a New Zealand training session at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Wednesday as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
"And throughout this time there's been a natural lack of content so there is a real drive to see that happen and see it happen safely, which is first and foremost. It's a shame to see the World Cup be postponed but I suppose it's the nature of what we're faced within the current climate but exciting at the potential opportunity individually to see some cricket come on to the horizon.
"But I think a lot of people will be looking forward to that opportunity if at all it goes ahead safely. It's such an incredible time and having to consider these things," Williamson said of the situation.
"Everybody perhaps has a slightly different view and perspective on it depending on their situation and their own ideas but from my perspective, if the safety was ensured -- I know as a country it's been incredible the way we've been able to handle it but we're a small part of the world and to a large extent we're all in it together," Williamson added.
Likewise, Australian batsman Glenn Maxwell has said he has no reason not to travel for the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) if everything gets ticked off.
"Any time you have a home World Cup, you are certainly looking forward to it. We felt like we had been building towards it as a T20 side," Maxwell was quoted as saying by Fox Sports.
"You wait and see (with the IPL), waiting on the judgments of other people, what you can and can't do with travel and quarantine times and all that, if everything gets ticked off there, I have no real reason not to go.
"The overseas guys get a hell of a kick playing in it, some of the best players in the world rubbing shoulders, similar to a World Cup, but on a smaller scale. If everything gets ticked off I would love to be available for it," said Maxwell who will turn out for Kings XI Punjab in the cash-rich league.
The all-rounder has been recalled to a 26-man Australian preliminary squad for a proposed six-match tour of England.
"To be home was a bit of a luxury at this time of the year. I've actually had a great time, freshened up the batteries and the mind as well," he said.
"I was always mentally getting myself ready for this time of year when there would potentially be cricket back on.
"I haven't been thinking about where we are going to end or who we are going to be playing. It was about getting my game ready, my body ready, and making sure I was ready for any series."
Australia's proposed limited-overs series in England, which will consist of three T20Is and as many ODIs, will reportedly begin on September 4.
According to a report in Daily Telegraph, the planned fixtures would see Australia play T20Is on September 4, 6 and 8, and ODIs on September 10, 12 and 15. The Australia team is expected to reach UK via a private flight.
(IANS)
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