Langer: Australia tour of England must happen for health of cricket

Australia have to tour England in September “for the health of world cricket”, and players should then be released to join the Indian Premier League, Australia coach Justin Langer has said.

Australia had to play their part in getting cricket moving again, said Langer, even if it meant enduring coronavirus quarantine, biosecurity restrictions and time away from family.

“My personal view is we have to go. For so many reasons,” Langer told News Corp Australia.

“I think we have to go to England. There’s lots of challenges of course but we have to find solutions to make sure that can happen if possible.”

Australia’s limited-overs series scheduled for this month in England was postponed because of the coronavirus, and September has been raised as an alternative.

Cricket Australia, which has laid off 15 per cent of its staff during the pandemic, is also desperate to host a money-spinning Test series against India later this year.

“I think we have to go to England. There’s lots of challenges of course but we have to find solutions to make sure that can happen if possible. That’s my view,” Langer said.

“I think for the health of world cricket. As much as we’d like India to come over here, I think we need to reciprocate that with England if we can.”

Langer believed releasing Australia’s big names to join the IPL — whose revised dates are yet to be announced and may be held in the UAE — was also essential as a goodwill gesture, to make sure India go ahead with their Test tour.

“I think we have to. Talking frankly,” Langer said.

“I hear a different story about the IPL’s plans every few days. It varies. So until there’s some clarity and we can work out how it affects the domestic season, how it affects our players, how it works with quarantine there’s a lot of considerations here.”

After months of coronavirus-enforced lockdown, international cricket resumed on Wednesday with England’s home Test against the West Indies.