Andy Flower feels that IPL is a detriment to a player’s growth in first class cricket

Prior to the 2017 Indian Premier League (IPL), a handful of English cricketers participated in the cash-rich tournament. However, the trends have changed from last time around when quite a few cricketers from the nation were drafted in by different franchises. The players didn’t let their respective teams down and performed as per expectations.

Ben Stokes became the highest bid cricketer for two consecutive seasons. He also was the Player of the Tournament last season, representing the Rising Pune Supergiant. The likes of Chris Woakes, Jason Roy, Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali have also plied their trade in the prestigious domestic tournament. Some of them even featured amongst the top-run scorers and the top wicket-takers in the event.

“They do miss out”- Andy Flower

Meanwhile, Andy Flower, the acting director of cricket at England and Wales Cricket Board, minced no words in saying that they are missing out on the opportunity to grow in first-class cricket in England by prioritizing the domestic Indian T20 league.

“The ECB position, at the moment, is to allow some of our best players to go to the IPL. And a lot of people will say things have thankfully moved on from the time I made my decisions around subjects like the IPL. They do miss out on some really excellent growth opportunities in first-class cricket for their counties. There is no doubt about that,” Flower was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

The 50-year old veteran also talked about bringing a change to the format of domestic cricket in England. “But the understanding at the moment is that they are growing in other ways, playing under a lot of pressure, in front of big crowds and among some of the best players in the world at the IPL.

We want to, ideally, recreate international conditions in our domestic cricket,” the former Zimbabwean cricketer added.

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