IPL 2021: Cricket Australia to grant NOCs to IPL bound players on ‘case-by-case’ basis

IPL 2021: Cricket Australia to grant NOCs to IPL bound players on ‘case-by-case’ basis

Cricket Australia

Dream11 IPL Trophy

Following the cancellation of the Test tour to South Africa, Australian cricketers are left sweating about approval to play the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. Australia cancelled the South Africa tour citing ‘an unacceptable level of health and safety risk’. South Africa like the IPL had already proved that its bio-secure environment holds. Last month it hosted Sri Lanka at home for a Test series and is currently hosting the Pakistan women’s team.

Despite that, Cricket Australia (CA) pulled out of the tour. Furthermore, India has 10.8 million recorded coronavirus cases, averaging 12,722 new cases per day, while South Africa, which is battling a mutant strain of the virus, has had 1.46 million cases, and averaging 5539 cases per day. With this season of the IPL reported to be taking place in India, it will be interesting to see how CA plans its next move.

We will consider each of those case-by-case

Nick Hockley
Nick Hockley

Australia’s players will need to seek a No Objection Certificate (NOC)to take part in the IPL. And it is very likely that CA could reject it on health grounds. CA interim CEO Nick Hockley said approval would be on a “case-by-case” basis. Personal injuries and COVID situation are likely to be two big factors which will decide the fate of NOC.

“We have, obviously, got precedent on that from the IPL last year. We have got, obviously, the IPL, if you like, [has] proven its bio-security protocols. As and when applications are made, we will consider each of those case-by-case, on their merits,” Sydney Morning Herald quoted Hockley as saying.

A total of 19 Australian players participated in the recent IPL which was held in a bio-secure environment in the UAE due to the pandemic. As many as nine Aussie players, including white-ball captain Aaron Finch, Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell have been released by their respective franchises. And will be up for grabs in the February 18 IPL auction.

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