Aussies return home from IPL as fake account drags Josh Hazlewood into bitter war
Updated . First published
Aussie fast bowler Josh Hazlewood was unwillingly dragged into the ugly conflict between India and Pakistan after a fake social media account was set up in his name.
Hazlewood and a slew of other Australians returned home Down Under on Sunday after the IPL was suspended as the conflict intensified.
A post by the now-deleted fake Hazlewood account on Friday night (AEST) praised the "courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment" of "our brave Indian Armed Forces who are out there fighting against Pakistan-based terrorists".
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The fake post caused a huge reaction online towards Hazlewood, only the Aussie fast bowler had no idea it was happening.
"Know that your fight is not just for India but for the hope of a safer world," the post read.
A fake social media post pretending to be Josh Hazlewood has been deleted. Getty
"We Aussies admire your resilience, and I'm cheering for you, not just as a cricketer but as someone who believes in the power of standing up for what's right.
"Stay strong, stay safe, and know that you've got mates across the globe rooting for you."
Hazlewood's manager Neil Maxwell told News Corp that Hazlewood does not have any social media accounts, and his Royal Challengers Bengaluru team worked quickly to have the account pulled.
The IPL was suspended on Friday, but the agreement of a ceasefire could allow the tournament to resume as early as Thursday, although how many Australians would return to finish the tournament, which has 16 games remaining, is unknown.
Australian coaching staffers including Justin Langer and Mike Hussey followed the likes of Tim David, Josh Inglis and Marcus Stoinis back to home shores.
"Everyone is fine," Stoinis told 9News after landing in Australia.
Mitchell Starc was also seen alongside his wife Alyssa Healy on Sunday at the airport.
Starc did not speak with reporters after arriving, although his manager confirmed with 9News that the star quick may not return to the IPL due to the conflict.
While many have opted to return home, others have elected to stay put in India. This includes Ricky Ponting and Brad Haddin, who work as coaching staff in the IPL.
It is expected Hussey and Langer will be called back to continue their commitments as coaches in the league, although that will depend on the government advice given.
It's unclear what impact Aussies not returning to complete the tournament would have on their contracts.
Mitchell Starc returns to Australia. Nine
"I think at the end of the day, we are talking about a game of cricket here," Australian great Mark Taylor told 9News.
"We are talking about people's livelihoods, their mental health, as well as their physical health. That to me takes much greater precedence over money."
Indian media reported on Sunday that IPL clubs had been informed to return to their home bases by Tuesday. However, the Punjab Kings will be moved to a neutral venue.
It has also been suggested that the IPL's plans to recommence the league will not see the tournament pushed beyond the current finish date of May 24.
If it did so, all players would need to obtain new "no objection" certificates from Cricket Australia to return to the competition.
The Pakistan Super League was also suspended. Plans to shift the remaining matches in that tournament to Dubai were quashed amid pressure on the Dubai Cricket Board from the all-powerful BCCI, which wanted the Emirati nation as an option for the IPL.
The ECB has also offered to host the remaining matches.
