New Zealand board to give NOCs to its players for IPL

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has confirmed that it will be issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to its players who are set to play Indian Premier League (IPL) this year.

While Cricket Australia (CA) has said that it would make its considerations when the BCCI makes an official announcement about the IPL.

NZC's spokesperson Richard Boock confirmed to ANI that it would be issuing NOCs to its players. He also said that the board has left it to the players whether they want to participate in the tournament or not.

"Yes, NZC will be issuing NOCs for New Zealand players participating in the IPL," Boock confirmed to ANI via e-mail.

"We leave it up to the players to decide whether or not they want to participate and request NOCs," he added.

When ANI contacted Cricket Australia regarding the topic of NOCs, the representative from the board replied: "Should the tournament be confirmed, Cricket Australia would then make its considerations accordingly."

There are six Kiwi cricketers who are set to play IPL this year and they are -- Kane Williamson (SunRisers Hyderabad), Trent Boult (Mumbai Indians), Mitchell McClenaghan (Mumbai Indians), Jimmy Neesham (Kings XI Punjab), Lockie Ferguson (Kolkata Knight Riders), and Mitchell Santner (Chennai Super Kings).

Meanwhile, there are 14 cricketers from Australia who will be playing in the Indian T20 tournament this year.

Aaron Finch (RCB), Josh Philippe (RCB), Kane Richardson (RCB), Chris Lynn (Mumbai Indians), Nathan Coulter-Nile (Mumbai Indians), Josh Hazelwood (CSK), Shane Watson (CSK), Alex Carey (Delhi Capitals), Marcus Stoinis (Delhi Capitals), Glenn Maxwell (Kings XI Punjab), Pat Cummins (KKR), Chris Green (KKR), Steve Smith (Rajasthan Royals), and Andrew Tye (Rajasthan Royals).

The eagerly-awaited Indian Premier League will start on September 19 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the final slated on November 8, IPL Chairman Brijesh Patel told PTI on Friday.

Earlier, IPL governing council chairman Brijesh Patel had confirmed that the 13th edition of the league will be played in the UAE.

"IPL 2020 which was postponed due to coronavirus will now be held in UAE," Patel had told ANI on Tuesday.

This year's IPL was slated to commence from March 29 but the tournament was postponed indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic.