3 England players who should be protected during IPL 2019

Indian Premier League is a well-maintained cash cow for BCCI and its stakeholders. Since its inception, the T20 tournament has been a first choice destination for all those players, who aspire to be a part of professional T20 league. The cash-rich tournament has featured players from many associates and top-tier cricket nations.

But in 2019, it will be the first occasion in its 12-year history, that the tournament has been scheduled just a few weeks ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, which is scheduled to begin on May 30, 2019. While IPL 2019 dates are yet to be revealed, it is expected to end in the first half of May 2019.

Due to these circumstances, cricket boards including England and Australia are reluctant on issuing NOCs for IPL 2019 edition. Both have already revealed that their players won't be available after 30 April due to preparations for the ICC pinnacle event. While they may decide to protect few players from IPL gruelling schedule, which increases the injury concerns as they may not want to miss a player service due to unwanted injuries.

So, without much ado, let's take a look at the players that 2019 World Cup hosts England should protect during the IPL 2019.

#3 Jos Buttler

Jos Butter

Jos Buttler has been an integral part of England’s CWC 2019 plans and is considered to be their first choice wicket-keeper for the tournament. The Somerset boy is among the top wicket-keepers in the international circuit and is a formidable middle order batsman.

Buttler has been quite exceptional for the English team in ODIs. In his 122 fifty over outings, the wicketkeeper has affected 177 dismissals comprising of 153 catches and 25 stumpings. He has been the backbone of the team's middle order in 2018 amassing 671 runs at an average 51.61, which is quite decent considering his middle-order position in batting.

He played for the Rajasthan Royals in the 2018 edition of the IPL and has been retained by the franchise after a splendid season with the bat. He ended 2018 season as a top run scorer for Royals and amassed 548 runs in 13 matches before he was called back for national duties.

The wicketkeeper-batsman has been in a great form in recent times and can be a trump card for his national team in World Cup 2019. So losing him in CWC squad due to injury might be a big blow for England and will have to protect to him for the all-important World Cup

#2 Moeen Ali

Moeen Ali

Moeen Ali is one of England's best bowlers in the international circuit and is among experienced campaigners of the current side. The bowling all-rounder is currently going through the best phase of his career and his numbers are enough to back his cause.

Moeen is England's second highest ODI wicket-taker in 2018 with 29 wickets in 23 innings, only behind Adil Rashid, who has taken 42 wickets.

Last year, Ali suffered a finger injury in December, which hampered his performance against Australia. After sustaining an injury, he was forced to play as a specialist batsman in all practice games.

He made his IPL debut for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2018 edition. However, he featured in only five games picking three wickets at an economy of 7.36 and scored 77 runs, which includes splendid 65 against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The English all-rounder has been retained by RCB for 2019 season.

Although Moeen has had very few injuries in his tenure, it is simply not worth the risk. Him along with Rashid are their frontline spinners for the World Cup, and this will give ECB a fair reason to monitor his workload in the IPL.

#1 Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes has been a key all-rounder for the English side and is capable to deliver on both ends of the game, whether it's bowling or batting. The New Zealand born all-rounder is quite destructive in his batting. In his 64 ODI innings, the 27-year old scored 1963 runs comprising three centuries and 15 half centuries while he has also taken 58 wickets on bowling front with his best being 61/5.

Stokes was brought by Rajasthan Royals in the 2018 auctions. However, he had an average season with eight wickets and 196 runs in his kitty. The English cricketer is retained by them for the upcoming season.

Stokes suffered a hamstring injury in May 2018 ahead of the second Test against Pakistan, which ruled out of cricketing action for a few weeks. Due to this, he was ruled out of the ODI series against Australia and Scotland as well.

The 27-year-old will be vital to England’s chances in lifting the trophy, and ECB may not like to lose him due to injury and might decide to protect his services for the pinnacle event.