Chris Woakes is willing to sacrifice his National duty of playing the NZ Test series in case DC reaches the final of IPL 2021.
However, he quickly added that he would fly back to Lord’s if not picked in the playing X1 of DC. The glamour of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has brought chaos among players to choose between playing for their country or IPL.
Some players prioritized their National duties and playing for their country and some picked up IPL over the country.
Chris Woakes is in a similar situation where he has to choose between his country and IPL. And according to Woakes, he chose IPL over his country.
Whereas England is all set to play a Test series against New Zealand at Lords from June 2, 2021, and IPL is getting over on May 30th. Regarding the country vs IPL debate, Woakes also came up with his views.
Woakes said that England has given its players the opportunities to broaden their horizons while taking part in IPL 2021. He said that skipping National duties puts players in an awkward position.
He also mentioned that a blockbuster series is coming on the way against India in summer where he will be seen in action.
“England wants us to broaden our horizons in the IPL and, at this stage of my career, these opportunities won’t keep coming up. If it means missing a Test, that unfortunately might be the case. The players are in an awkward position, though. This summer is big, especially with a Test series against India to follow,”
said Woakes as quoted by The Guardian.
‘I want to play at Lords’
However, Woakes also mentioned that if he is not picked by the DC playing X1, he will immediately fly back to Lords to play against NZ. He concluded by saying that the Test series against NZ was scheduled late.
“If I’m not in the Delhi XI, I’ll speak to Ricky (DC head coach Ricky Ponting) and the powers-that-be. Of course, I want to play at Lord’s, my record there speaks for itself. But those Tests were arranged late,”
stated the right-arm pacer.