New Zealand spokesperson informed PTI via mail that New Zealand Cricket will issue No Objection Certificates to the players assigned to compete in IPL 2020 but the final decision must be taken by the players.
NOC to be issues by NZC for IPL 2020
Reportedly New Zealand Cricket will issue NOC i.e. No Objection Certificates to its six contracted players set to play IPL 2020. But the due diligence have to bedone by the players in question and they have to take the final call as well. “Regarding the IPL, NZC will be issuing NOCs to the relevant players and it’s up to them to decide,” NZC spokesperson Richard Boock told PTI via email.
The six players will be updated about the protocols prior to IPL 2020 but the board will not be responsible for the due diligence according to Boock.”Well, yes, the issuing of NOCs is considered on a case-by-case basis and it’s rare that they are ever refused. However, the due diligence is something for the respective players to shoulder – although we are happy to pass on as much info as we can to assist in these matters.”
The six New Zealand players are question are Jimmy Neesham (Kings XI Punjab), Lockie Ferguson (Kolkata Knight Riders), Mitchell McClenaghan, Trent Boult (Mumbai Indians), Kane Williamson (Sunrisers Hyderabad) and Mitchell Santner (Chennai Super Kings). Meanwhile Kane Williamson already said that he is keen to know more about the overall development including safety protocols.
IPL 2020 to be hosted in UAE
IPL 2020 is planning to be held between September and November by the BCCI in UAE. The chances of IPL 2020 getting hosted have become higher after the ICC decided to scrap the men’s T20I World Cup 2020 scheduled for October-November in Australia. While Richard Boock was asked about opinion on IPL 2020 being shifted to UAE, he said, “NZC doesn’t have an opinion on the IPL being staged in the UAE. It’s not within our remit.”
In case of the COVID-19, New Zealand is one of those few countries to have successfully dealt with the pandemic threat. The picture is exactly opposite in India. The number of cases is rising day by day and amid such situation it will be a challenge for the BCCI to host IPL 2020 in the country. Hence the board decided to take IPL 2020 outisde India where apart from the six Kiwi players, a number of former players of New Zealand will be seen as part of support group.
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