Mitchell Starc mulling over call to return to the IPL after 'higher' powers force Proteas boss to backflip on WTC decision
The power of Indian cricket on the world stage has been put on full display after South Africa's director of cricket Enoch Nkwe performed a stunning backflip regarding his players' preparation for the World Test Championship.
On Wednesday night, Nkwe had pledged that Kagiso Rabada, Aiden Markram, Lungi Ngidi, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder would all return home to South Africa on May 25 ahead of the final. All eight players are involved in the IPL and WTC final.
"One thing we've made clear, and we are finalising it with the IPL and the BCCI, is that we are sticking to our original plan when it comes to WTC preparations with May 26 being the latest for the Test guys to come back," Nkwe was quoted saying in The Age.
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However, hours later, Nkwe backflipped, citing discussions happening between important powerbrokers.
Enoch Nkwe, CSA's director of cricket. ICC via Getty Images
"Correction – the squad will resume training for the game on June 3," he said. "The matter is being discussed higher up than me. At ground level, we are focusing on preps for the WTC final."
Despite the WTC being the ICC's prized event in the red-ball format, where the priority lies in terms of cricket's major stakeholders has been made clear.
The resumption of the IPL begins on May 17, after it was postponed due to the conflict between India and Pakistan.
The final will be played on June 3. Originally the tournament was slated to finish on May 25.
South Africa are scheduled to play a warm-up fixture against Zimbabwe at Arundel on June 3.
For Australia, Josh Inglis and Mitchell Starc are the only players in a position similar to the eight from South Africa. Starc has yet to decided whether he'll return to India after travelling home, with The Sydney Morning Herald reporting he'll decide on Friday.
Mitchell Starc of Delhi Capitals runs out to Yashasvi Jaiswal of Rajasthan Royals. Getty
Inglis plays for Ricky Ponting's Punjab side. Pat Cummins and Travis Head play for Sunrisers Hyderabad but won't make the knockout stage.
