"If we can have specific windows for IPL..." - Pat Cummins calls for separate window for Test cricket

Australia's ODI and Test captain, Pat Cummins, has called for structured scheduling in international cricket, suggesting that clearer schedules would aid player decision-making. Pat Cummins proposed different windows for Test cricket and franchise cricket tournaments like the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Earlier, England skipper Jos Buttler also commented on the scheduling conflicts between international cricket and the IPL. Buttler said that there should not be any schedule overlap. He said that his main priority is to be playing for England but there shouldn't be any international cricket that clashes with the IPL.

Jos Buttler, along with his England teammates Phil Salt and Will Jacks, missed the IPL 2024 playoffs because they were committed to a T20I series against Pakistan. In Australia, the Sheffield Shield final typically clashes with the IPL in March, which presents scheduling conflicts for Australian players in red-ball cricket.

More Appealing Than International Cricket - Pat Cummins

Pat Cummins highlighted the challenges of balancing franchise cricket and international commitments. He emphasized that in Australia, Test cricket typically runs from November to January without other interruptions, which allows players to focus solely on international duties.

“Franchise cricket for some countries is more lucrative, more appealing than international cricket. If I went and played franchise cricket, I could probably be away for a half or a third of the amount we are for Australia.

"In Australia you know Test cricket is from November to January and basically no other cricket is going to get in the way of us playing Test cricket then. If we can have specific windows for IPL but then also Test windows, that makes the decision-making for the players a lot easier,” Cummins was quoted as saying by The Sydney Morning Herald.

Pat Cummins captained the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL). However, Hyderabad fell short of the title, losing to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the final match of the season. SRH showed an aggressive batting approach throughout this year's T20 tournament.

White Ball Cricket Can Play A Role - Chairman of Cricket Australia

Mike Baird, chairman of Cricket Australia, emphasized that Test cricket remains dominant in Australia. Baird highlighted Australia's commitment to supporting and investing in Test cricket opportunities for as long as possible but welcomed collaborative approaches to bolster Test cricket globally.

"There was discussion around sharing economics and acknowledgement across the board that larger countries would potentially play a role in that. We don't feel (Cricket Australia) should dictate to any country, but we're open to ideas and proposals on how to support Test playing full stop."

"There's a summer to fill, and white-ball cricket can play a role, but (Test cricket) still remains the dominant game in Australia. It is very clear Australia will support and invest and grow Test cricket opportunities as long as we possibly can," Baird added.

Australia, the current World Test Championship winner, is set to face India in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series from November to January. Both teams are currently leading the ongoing WTC cycle. India has retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy since 2017, including victories in two away series against Australia.

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