Aussie players to play T20 leagues at their own risk, says Australian Cricket Association

Todd Greenberg, the chief executive of the Australian Cricketers’ Association has sent a message to Australian players about doing their “homework”  on the risks of overseas T20 deals due to the Covid-19 pandemic and its effect on this year’s IPL.

The cricketers, along with Australian coaches and commentators, are now stuck in a situation following the postponement of IPL 2021 with the border to their home country closed to India until at least May 15, which leaves them set to fly to an interim destination, probably the Maldives, before trying to return.

Greenberg repeated what Pat Cummins said on Tuesday, that the players knew what they had signed up for with the IPL in the current climate, but that the news of the closed border to Australian citizens had changed the dynamics of the situation.

“I’m not sure it will create reticence but it will ensure players do their due diligence before they sign agreements,” Greenberg said. “The world is literally changing before our eyes particularly with Covid and on that side of the world, obviously, those cases are going up exponentially.

Greenberg repeated what Pat Cummins said on Tuesday, that the players knew what they had signed up for with the IPL in the current climate, but that the news of the closed border to Australian citizens had changed the dynamics of the situation.

“We’re enjoying our freedoms here in Australia. It is a very different place over there. If anything it sends a message to players about making sure you do your homework before making any decisions.” Greenberg added.

Greenberg also stated that support and counselling of any kind will be available for the players when they arrive in the country.

“I was at pains to point it out during the week, the public will see our best Australian cricketers as almost superheroes, they’re brilliant athletes, great cricketers, but they’re human beings, some of them are fathers and husbands and they’re under enormous amounts of stress,” Greenberg, said.

“We will help them when they come home. Some will cope with it really well, others will need support and counselling and that’s what we’ll do.”

“They signed up with their eyes wide open about some of the challenges and risks when they went in. What they didn’t expect were the borders to be closed. That created anxiety for them, just like it would create anxiety for the 9,000-odd Australians over there looking to come home. That’s a normal reaction for our players.”

 

 

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