Big Bash experience tilts scales in England's favour

...But It’s Difficult To Let India’s Batters Play Leagues Abroad, Says Coach Dravid

Adelaide: Alex Hales has played for Melbourne Renegades, Adelaide Strikers, Hobart Hurricanes and Sydney Thunder in Australia’s Big Bash League. Jos Buttler has played in the Big Bash since 2013, turning out for teams like Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Thunder.

England’s dynamic opening duo chased down India’s runs with practiced ease at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday night while India’s own top-order found run-making difficult and the pitch a bit difficult.

India, in fact, have struggled throughout to adapt to these early summer Australian conditions, ensuring slow starts in the batting Powerplay, while the familiarity of the English batters with these conditions is evident in their march to the World Cup final.

Leaving aside the economics of the IPL, should the Indian cricket board (BCCI) allow some Indian batters in contention for T20I spots to play in these leagues, at least ahead of big events?

India coach Rahul Dravid, for one, agrees that more familiarity with Australian conditions would have been nice, but feels the demand it would generate for Indian cricketers would lead to the death of domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy, which in turn would hurt Test cricket.