Players who can replace Lasith Malinga and Adam Milne: Sportrush presents before you five players who can replace the injured bowlers in IPL 2019.
Indian Premier League franchise Mumbai Indians have received a major blow in the form of two of their overseas fast bowlers being unavailable for IPL 2019. With the development coming a day before the 12th season of the tournament, Indians would be crying out for replacements.
Advertisement
Malinga, IPL’s highest wicket-taker, has himself ruled him out of the tournament for the first six matches in a bid to prioritize Sri Lanka’s ODI squad over the cash-rich league. After serving the franchise in the capacity of a bowling mentor last season, Malinga was bought by MI at his base price of INR 2 crore.
With the Sri Lankan selectors having told the players to participate in the Super Provincial One Day domestic tournament to remain in contention for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, the veteran fast bowler had no option than to make this move. It is believed that Malinga has suggested Mumbai Indians to find a replacement player for the entire season.
Milne, on the other hand, has pulled out of the tournament due to a heel injury. The New Zealand fast bowler was bought for INR 75 lakhs in the auction.
With Jason Behrendorff currently playing for Australia, MI only have Mitchell McClenaghan and Ben Cutting as overseas fast bowling options. Going by IPL rules, Mumbai Indians now have the option of buying two players who do not cost them more than INR 2 crore and INR 75 lakh respectively. Below are some options which can prove viable for the Indians now:
Alzarri Joseph
If reports in ESPNcricinfo are to be believed, Indians are keen to rope in the 22-year old West Indies pacer. Having yet to make his T20I debut, Alzarri Joeseph has played nine Test matches and 16 ODIs. In seven T20s, he has picked up nine wickets at an average of 32.33, an economy rate of 11.41 and a strike rate of 17. Given his experience in the format, bringing him on-board involves a lot of risk.
Chris Jordan
Having played for Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the past, England fast bowler Chris Jordan makes for an apt choice when it comes to an overseas pacer in the IPL. For someone who has it in him to bowl well in the death overs, Jordan might prove handy for captain Rohit Sharma.
Jordan, who last played an ODI for England in September 2016, seems out of the English selectors’ radar as far as the squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 is concerned. As a result, he will be available for Mumbai throughout the season.
Blair Tickner
The 25-year old right-arm pacer made his debut for New Zealand in the third T20I against India last month. Tickner emerged as the third-highest wicket-taker in the recently concluded Super Smash, New Zealand’s premier T20 competition.
In nine matches, Tickner had dismissed 16 batsmen at an average of 15.93, an economy rate of 7.72 and a strike rate of 12.3. His overall T20 average of 17.42 and a strike rate of 12.9 speaks well about his skills as a T20 bowler.
Kane Richardson
The 28-year old Australian pacer was the highest wicket-taker in the latest season of the Big Bash League. In 14 matches, Richardson had dismissed 24 batsmen at an average of 17.70, an economy rate of 7.75 and a strike rate of 13.7.
An overall T20 average of 24.41, economy rate of 8.10 and a strike rate of 18 further tell about Richardson’s worth in the T20 format. Richardson is another of those pacers who is highly likely to remain for the full season of the IPL.
Dale Steyn/Morne Morkel
Mumbai Indians also have the option of signing in someone as experienced as Malinga. In the South African duo of Dale Steyn and (or) Morne Morkel, MI will tick the box adjacent to experience. Other than contribution on the field, Steyn and Morkel also have it in them to guide the other pacers off the field.
With both Steyn (Gujarat Lions) and Morkel (Kolkata Knight Riders) not playing in the IPL after 2016, the decision will involve a gutsy call much like signing Alzarri Joseph.
How Twitter reacted:
For more IPL-related news, click here.
