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England team director Ashley Giles says no plans on rushing IPL stars back into action in New Zealand Tests
Team director Ashley Giles says England has no plans to "rush" their Indian Premier League (IPL) starts back for next month's Test series against New Zealand and could introduce new faces to cope with a packed schedule. The suspension of the IPL because of the devastating coronavirus outbreak in India has left England with a potentially larger player pool than they envisaged for the two-Test series against New Zealand. Among those currently serving quarantine, periods are Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes, and Sam Curran, all of whom have Test contracts with England. They could be available for County Championship matches starting on 20 May before joining England ‘bubble’ ahead of the first Test against New Zealand at Lord's, which begins on 2 June. But even if the trio is in contention, England may have to call up fresh reinforcements given Ben Stokes and Dom Sibley are currently injured, while fast bowler Jofra Archer has only recently returned to action with Sussex’s 2nd eleven.
Among those vying for spots is Somerset seamer Craig Overton, who won the last of his four caps in 2019, and Sussex paceman Ollie Robinson.
Uncapped Gloucestershire batsman James Bracey is averaging over 50 in the County Championship so far this season. "All these guys (returning from the IPL) are currently in quarantine and have had several spells in quarantine and bubbles," Giles said on Monday.
"We need to look after them, with the amount of cricket they've got coming up. We're not going to rush or force them back into cricket. "Chris Silverwood (the England coach) will work with every one of them, as will our medical teams on what's best for their progress."
