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Darren Lehmann unhappy with mini-IPL addition

In 2015, the Australian side played all three formats on an average of 280 days overseas.

Darren Lehmann wants ICC to schedule future tournaments keeping players' schedules in mind © Getty Images
Darren Lehmann wants ICC to schedule future tournaments keeping players’ schedules in mind © Getty Images

Australian Head Coach Darren Lehmann has opposed against having the “Mini-IPL” saying that he is concerned that would completely exhaust his players. Under Cricket Australia (CA) contracts, players are given a six-week break from commitments, which many use to sign Indian Premier League (IPL) contracts. Lehmann has suggested that when the financial criteria is tempting for all the players to play in the T20 league, the International Cricket Council (ICC) should schedule the future series and tournaments keeping the players and their fitness in mind. In 2015, the Australian side played all three formats on an average of 280 days overseas. READ: ‘Mini IPL abroad’ idea surprises franchise owners

According to skysports.com, Lehmann said, “If it keeps going like this, with players playing IPL as well, they are inevitably going to break down. Hopefully changes will happen at the ICC and then you will see a refined schedule which will be better.”

Talking about the recent injuries to the Australian cricketers, the coach said, “If you look across a two-year cycle, all of our players have had to come home at some point.” The likes of Steven Smith, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell were the recent players who were forced to leave IPL 2016 mid-way due to injuries.

Lehmann has suggested that it is the rigorous travelling and training which eventually hurts the players. “It’s not so much the cricket; it’s the travel to these places. You’re on the road, you have training and all that stuff,” the former Australian cricketer said.

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