Lack of IPL exposure is keeping us behind: Flintoff

Andrew Flintoff believes that playing in the IPL T20 competition will make all England players perform better in one-day cricket.

Andrew Flintoff has blamed England’s dismal show in the ongoing one-day series squarely on their non-participation in the Indian Premier League, which he believes has helped Indian players develop their game by leaps and bounds.

“I think through playing the shorter form of the game they (India) have developed new skills with both bat and ball, and we have been found wanting a little bit,” Flintoff said.

“Their game has developed through playing Twenty20 cricket, you just have to look at the way the guys hit the ball and the positions they get into. You also look at the bowling skills that Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma have too. They are developing slower balls and yorkers.”

Story continues below this ad

The England all-rounder also sought to clarify that the reason for his teamamtes’ keenness to play in the IPL was not just the big bucks they could earn through it.

“A few of our players are keen to go to the IPL. The thing that most people write about when they mention the IPL is the financial rewards, but it should also be looked at as something that helps with a player’s development,” Flintoff told ‘Independent’.

However, England players are yet to know if they would get a chance to play in the second edition of IPL due to ongoing tussle between the England and Wales Cricket Board and the IPL organisers.

Trump announces TikTok deal, surprise China visit ‘early next year’ after call with Xi

World5 hr ago

Trump and Xi had a successful phone call, addressing trade, Fentanyl, and TikTok. They plan to meet at APEC Summit and for Trump to visit China, with Xi visiting the US. Congress wants TikTok to sell its US assets or shut down, but Trump has not enforced this due to the app's value and progress.

View all shorts

Live Blog