Cricket

Overseas Players Face Stricter IPL Rules to Prevent WithdrawalsThe Indian Premier League (IPL) has implemented new regulations to discourage overseas players from withdrawing after being auctioned. These rules aim to ensure player availability and prevent disruptions for franchises.Mandatory Registration and AvailabilityOverseas players must now register for the mega auction. Failure to do so will make them ineligible for the subsequent mini-auction. Once registered and selected, players must remain available throughout the season.Penalties for WithdrawalsIf an overseas player withdraws before the season starts without a valid reason, such as a confirmed injury by their home board, they will face a two-season ban from the tournament and player auctions.Fitness Assessment and ReportingPlayers with a history of recurring injuries, like Ben Stokes, must undergo a fitness assessment by the National Cricket Academy (NCA) if they participate in the IPL mega auction and subsequently get injured. If they withdraw after the assessment, they must report to the BCCI's medical team or risk missing the next two seasons of IPL.Capped Fee for Mini-AuctionsTo further deter withdrawals, the IPL has capped the maximum fee for overseas players at mini-auctions. This fee will be the lowest of the highest retention price and the highest auction price from the mega auction.Impact on Overseas PlayersThese new rules require overseas players to carefully consider their availability and fitness before participating in the IPL. Failure to comply with the regulations could result in significant penalties that could impact their careers.

England's cautious approach to Jofra Archer's workload will continue during the upcoming five-match ODI series against Australia. Archer has been gradually reintegrated into international cricket after recovering from back and elbow injuries.Despite his impressive performance in the T20 World Cup, Archer has been carefully managed to avoid overexertion. He played only 3.3 overs in the T20I series against Australia and was rested for the second game in Cardiff.England's interim coach, Marcus Trescothick, emphasized the need to manage Archer's workload throughout the ODI series. "He's played a really good stint of T20 cricket, but there's a jump in intensity getting loads up to taking full part in an ODI," Trescothick said.Archer's long-term goal is to return to red-ball cricket, but he has not played a first-class match since May 2021. Trescothick confirmed that Archer is comfortable with the ECB's plan to manage his workload."He knows the plan," Trescothick said. "It's discussed long in advance of picking the team on each day. We know what we're doing with him, and where we're going."Trescothick will continue to assist England as an assistant coach for the Test series in Pakistan and New Zealand. He believes his experience working with Brendon McCullum will ensure a smooth transition when McCullum takes charge across formats in January."I'm directing it in a way that I know will be very similar to when he comes in," Trescothick said. "He'll talk the same way, manage in the same fashion, and debrief in the same way."

Australia's selectors are taking a cautious approach with promising pace bowlers Lance Morris and Jhye Richardson, prioritizing their long-term health and durability. Morris, who has faced recurring back stress fractures, is currently undergoing rehabilitation and is expected to return to action during the upcoming summer. Richardson, who has also been hampered by injuries, is fit and eager to prove his worth.National selector George Bailey emphasized the importance of setting up Morris and Richardson for success in the long run. "We wanted to set him up for success in the long term as opposed to pushing that too early then potentially risking what we think is something that could be really exciting across this summer and beyond," Bailey said about Morris.Richardson, who has not played for Australia since mid-2022, is also eager to regain his place in the national team. "He's fit and firing now, and again looking for match opportunities," Bailey said. "I think he'll get opportunities again across the summer."The durability of Australia's established pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins has limited opportunities for emerging bowlers. However, with Cummins set to miss the UK tour and Starc skipping the T20Is, Morris and Richardson could get valuable game time.Bailey acknowledged the need to manage the workloads of Starc, Hazlewood, and Cummins, especially with the five-Test series against India looming later this year. "As far as the fast bowling group goes, think we've got a pretty exciting bunch there that we haven't had the opportunity to get a lot of games into across the formats predominantly because we've had a highly successful and robust senior group of fast bowlers," Bailey said.Other emerging quicks, such as Xavier Bartlett, Spencer Johnson, and Nathan Ellis, are also in contention for selection. Will Sutherland, who has also been plagued by back injuries, was not considered for the latest squads.

Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of the Indian cricket team, has sparked a debate with his candid views on workload and injury management. In a video released by Star Sports, Gambhir expressed his firm belief that players should play across all three formats if they are good enough and in form."I am a very strong believer in one thing, that if you are good, you should be playing all the three formats. I have never been a big believer of 'injury management'. You got injured, you go and recover. As simple as it gets. You are playing international cricket, and you are good enough - you ask any of the top players - they want to play all the three formats. They don't want to be labelled as red-ball bowlers or white-ball bowlers," Gambhir said.The former India opener emphasized that injuries are a natural part of a sportsman's life and should be dealt with by recovery rather than through preemptive management. "Injuries are part of sportsmen's life. And if you are playing all the three formats, you get injured, you go back and get recovered but you should be playing all the three formats. I am not a big believer to identify people that okay we are going to keep him for Test matches and we are going to keep him and we are going to manage his injury and workload and stuff," Gambhir elaborated.Gambhir's no-nonsense approach and emphasis on playing through all formats is expected to bring a new dynamic to the Indian cricket team as they gear up for their series against Sri Lanka. At 42, Gambhir is the youngest coach to lead Team India, and he underscored the importance of professional players making the most of their careers by playing as much as possible, given the limited span of their professional life."Look, professional cricketers, you got a very small span. When you are playing for your country you want to play as much as you can. When you are in very good form, go ahead and play all the three formats," Gambhir explained.

Former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee has criticized the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) management and medical staff for mishandling Mayank Yadav's injury. Lee believes that the young pacer was rushed back into action too soon after suffering abdominal soreness, leading to a recurrence of the injury.Mayank, who had impressed with his express pace and two Man-of-the-Match awards in his first three IPL games, developed abdominal soreness during LSG's match against Gujarat Titans on April 7. He returned to action in LSG's win against Mumbai Indians on Tuesday but walked off the field without completing his fourth over after experiencing pain in the same area.Lee, who took 310 wickets in 76 Tests for Australia, believes that Mayank's initial injury would have required four to six weeks to heal, much more than the time period he spent on the sidelines."A side strain or whatever they're calling it, normally takes at least four to six weeks to even come right," Lee said. "We don't know the depths of how big a strain it was but for somebody who is pushing the limits of his body by bowling 150 kmph, that's not good management at all."Lee sympathized with Mayank, saying that he should have received the right advice. "The only person who has to pay this price is this poor young guy Mayank, who is just electric," Lee said. "Everyone in the IPL has loved seeing what he's brought... You wish he got the right advice, so he doesn't have to go through and absorb this."Mayank's injury is a major setback for LSG, who are currently in the top four of the IPL standings. It could also impact his chances of selection for India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup.Former India batter Suresh Raina believes that Mayank can learn from his experience and return stronger. "It was a fantastic gesture from Jasprit Bumrah to talk to the youngster," Raina said. "He has so much experience. When (Mayank) meets him, he will learn so much from Bumrah's words about looking after an injury."

Ian Bishop, the former West Indies fast bowler, has lauded Lucknow Super Giants' (LSG) emerging pace sensation, Mayank Yadav, for his rare combination of pace and control. Bishop emphasized the importance of managing Mayank properly through the expertise of medical professionals, strength and conditioning coaches, and nutritionists.Mayank made a stunning impact on IPL 2024 with his fiery pace during matches against Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). In these encounters, he showcased his talent by claiming six wickets and earning the 'Player of the Match' award in both games. Consistently touching speeds of 150 kmph, Mayank's exceptional control over line and length left spectators and pundits alike in awe.Although currently sidelined due to injury, his impending return has garnered anticipation from the entire cricket fraternity. Bishop acknowledged Mayank's extraordinary talent but cautioned against his injury history, emphasizing the importance of managing his body and ensuring adequate strengthening to prevent future setbacks.Bishop pointed out that Australian skipper Pat Cummins, who was injury-prone as a youngster, struggled to deal with the stress of the game on his body. But over the years, he managed to build for himself an impressive career after years of working on his body and changing his technique. The former bowler said that it would be great if Mayank gets the same input that Cummins once had in his career, be it through LSG or the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).Bishop also stressed the importance of young fast bowlers like Mayank getting to hear the right voices. He suggested that Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah should be made to interact frequently with upcoming pace bowlers, as he is a clear thinker and great communicator.Bishop concluded by emphasizing the need for a more precise and determined approach to player development, especially when resources are available. He believes that supplementing on-field experience with knowledge and guidance from experienced players can help accelerate the learning curve and prevent injuries.