The IPL auction this year comprised of 332 players (186 Indian and 143 overseas). These 332 players were shortlisted by the BCCI from a pool of 900+ players. The English and the Aussies have been most successful among the overseas players. However, there are a few players from England who have never been a part of the league, and here are 5 players who could have performed well, if they would have been given a chance in the IPL.
David Malan
This English Batsman has been in good form lately. In the recent tour of New Zealand, Malan was the highest run-scorer, scoring 208 runs at an average of 69.33 and a strike rate of 163.77, including one century and half-century each. In nine T20Is overall, the southpaw has amassed 458 runs at an average of 58.25 and a strike rate of 156.31, including a century and five half-centuries. Additionally, his performance has been good in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League as well. With such performances, the left-handed batsman should have allured interest from at least one franchise.
Matt Parkinson
The England spinner, Matt Parkinson has played for Lancashire in Englands’s T20 Cup this year. In the 12 matches that he played, he dismissed 21 batsmen at an average of 14.61, an economy rate of 7.48 and a strike rate of 11.7, and finished as the third-highest wicket-taker in the tournament.
On the basis of his performance at the T20 Cup, the 23-year old player was included in the national squad for the tour of New Zealand. Having picked five wickets in two matches at a strike rate of 7.2, Parkinson put on display his wicket-taking skills.
With 28 T20s till now, Matt has taken 65 wickets. His addition to one of the franchises would be a surprise factor in the IPL, 2020.
James Vince
James Vince has done reasonably well for England as well as his domestic teams in T20 leagues. He has played a total of 206 T20s, scoring 5435 runs in the format. Currently playing for Paarl Rocks in the Mzansi Super League, Vince has scored 226 runs at an average of 37.66 and a strike rate of 141.25, including a half-century. Unfortunately for him, many domestic batsmen are having similar profile like his, which is why he is not part of the IPL 2020. However, Vince is capable of batting in both the top and middle-order and could have been a flexible option for IPL franchises this year.
Luke Wright
Veteran England Batsman, Luke Wright, was also not included in any of the IPL franchises this year. In England’s domestic T20 League this year, the 34-year old batsman had scored 388 runs at an average of 35.27 and a strike rate of 125.97 including two half-centuries, in 14 matches for Sussex. Having played for Pune Warriors India in the Indian Premier League, franchises could have banked on Wright’s 314-match experience in the T20 format.
Ian Bell
Ian Bell, at his peak, was the pillar of the English batting line-up. He was among those batsmen that were difficult to get out. His technique was fabulous to watch as his shot-playing was among the classiest in the world of cricket.
He was also a fairly decent T20 player. Indeed, with 2749 runs to his name from 100 innings at an average of 31.23 and a strike-rate of 124.72, he showed that he is a good player when it comes to the shorter format and might have been a useful player if he ever played in the IPL.
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