IPL 2020: Couldn’t risk missing birth of my child- Kane Richardson on IPL exit

IPL 2020: Couldn’t risk missing birth of my child- Kane Richardson on IPL exit

richardson

Richardson in the IPL

Australian pacer Kane Richardson has stated that pulling out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 was difficult but he couldn’t risk missing the birth of his child in the wake of travel restrictions due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) picked Richardson for Rs 4 crore in the IPL auction last December but the 29-year-old pulled out of the tournament to be with his wife for the birth of their first child.

I’m disappointed to miss the IPL: Richardson

“It’s always difficult to withdraw from a competition like the IPL, it’s the pinnacle domestic competition in the world so it wasn’t an easy decision, but when I sat down and thought about it, it was definitely the right one,” Richardson told media on Wednesday.

“With all that’s going on in the world at the moment and the challenge of getting home on time for something as unpredictable as the birth of a child, I couldn’t risk missing that,” he added.

Presently, Richardson plans to be with his family after undertaking a mandatory two week isolation period following the conclusion of the England tour later this month.

“I’m disappointed to miss the IPL but hopefully there are opportunities ahead for that. I don’t think I’d be able to live with missing the birth of my first child … I can be home and support my wife as best I can, and hopefully, those (cricket) opportunities come around again. Coming off five months of doing nothing you don’t really know until we start, but if I look back in the last 12 months, I feel like I’ve done the job in the games we’ve played,” he said.

“Everyone brings a little bit of variety and their individual strengths, think that’s what you want in a bowling attack. I feel like we have all bases covered,” he added. The first T20 between Australia and England will be played on Friday.

Australian leg spinner Adam Zampa has replaced Richardson for the upcoming IPL season which commences from September 19th in UAE.

Also Read: Four umpires from ICC Elite Panel to officiate in IPL 2020