IPL 2019: New Zealand internationals to be available for entire season

IPL 2019: In a significant development, New Zealand Cricket has allowed their players to take part in the entire duration of the next edition of the Indian Premier League

For the first time since its inception, the IPL will have New Zealand players available for the entire duration of the tournament as the countdown for the auctions – slated to take place in December this year - of 12^th edition begins.

An announcement to this effect was made Monday by James Wear, GM Commercial, New Zealand Cricket, at a special interaction arranged by official broadcasters of IPL, Star Sports.

"One of the things New Zealand Cricket has decided is to allow its players to play in the Indian Premier League right till the end of the IPL," Wear said.

The announcement comes at a time when Cricket Australia and the England and Wales Cricket Board have expressed their concerns over allowing their players for the full season of IPL keeping the ODI World Cup – beginning in May-end next year – in mind.

"So we are keen to give our guys as much experience playing all around the world as possible so that they get a great experience by playing in the IPL," explained Wear on the reason behind the Kiwi cricket board's decision even with the ICC World Cup following shortly after the conclusion of the T20 league.

As many as 11 New Zealand cricketers were a part of the previous edition of IPL with the likes of Kane Williamson, Tim Southee and Trent Boult being regulars for their respective franchises. Skipper Williamson was even appointed the captain of the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the absence of David Warner.

Former New Zealand wicket-keeper batsman Brendon McCullum too is one of the mainstays of Royal Challengers Bangalore but his availability was never in question as he had announced his retirement from international cricket last year.

Meanwhile, New Zealand Cricket is preparing to host the Indian team in the upcoming five-match ODI and best-of- three Twenty 20 International series.

The first ODI is to be held at Napier on January 23.

"We are working with Star (Sports) to make sure that the timings work as well as possible for the Indian audience," informed Wear, adding the men's T20 matches are scheduled to begin at 12:30 pm.