5 Australian players who should be protected during IPL 2019  

The Twelfth edition of the Indian Premier League is all set for an early kick-off, keeping in mind the General elections in India and the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup. Previously, the 2009 (South Africa) and 2014 editions ( UAE, partially) of the IPL were moved out of India due to the Indian General elections.

With the 2019 World Cup too slated to begin on May 30, all cricket boards want the league to end early (first half of May) so that their players would be fresh ahead of the mega quadrennial event to be hosted by England and Wales from May 30- July 14.

It is understandable that the cricket boards of the participating nations are more concerned about the fatigue factor, which might hinder the performances of the players at the World Cup.

Though the two general elections were held during the league, the two World Cups (2011 and 2015) were held before the respective seasons but it won't be the case this time around. With the venue and exact dates not yet confirmed, it would be interesting to see how the BCCI tackles the situations.

On the team management's part, it is their responsibility to protect their players to keep them in shape for the World Cup. But for the franchises, it would be a huge loss if some of their star players leave the tournament mid-way.

Cricket Australia, which has put up certain guidelines for its players participating in IPL 2019 wants them to get the No Objection Certificates, join their IPL teams after the Sheffield Shield final (April 1, if their sides qualify), play in the ODI series against Pakistan and return for Pre-World Cup camp in Early May.

As usual, several Australian players will be in action in the next year's IPL. Let us now look at five players who should be protected during IPL 2019.

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David Warner

David Warner

Warner, who was one of the three Australian players to be involved in the Sandpaper gate (ball-tampering scandal against South Africa) earlier this year will be returning to action in March next year as his one-year ban ends on March 27, 2019.

With the Sunrisers Hyderabad retaining the 2016 IPL winning skipper, having released openers Shikhar Dhawan and Alex Hales, Warner will be pivotal for the Men in Orange at the top.

The Aussie batsman's absence did not hinder their batting performance last season thanks mainly to skipper, Kane Williamson who finished the season with 735 runs in 17 matches, thereby winning the Orange Cap for most runs. But with less opening options, Warner's return might provide them with the much-needed firepower at the top.

The fans of Sunrisers too will be hoping to see their regular skipper in action after one-year hiatus. But, with Warner being very much in the plans for Australia's World Cup squad, he needs to be protected during the 2019 IPL.

Steven Smith

Steven Smith

The former Aussie skipper was another star player who was involved in the Sandpaper scandal earlier this March and is currently serving a one-year ban.

With his suspension too ending on March 27 next year, he will be making his much-awaited comeback. Cricket Australia though would be tempted to field him against Pakistan in the ODI series to be held in April 2019 to, before allowing him to play in the IPL so that he could return to the scheme of things before the World Cup squad selection.

Smith was Australia's highest run-getter during their victorious 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup title win at home, scoring 402 runs in seven innings with his highest score being 105.

His absence has certainly affected the Aussies, who were whitewashed 5-0 by the English in June while losing the ODI series 1-2 against South Africa at home earlier this month.

Smith, who was replaced by Ajinkya Rahane as Rajasthan Royals skipper last season has been retained by the Jaipur-based franchise ahead of 2019 IPL. The Royals missed Smith last year, as they lacked a stable batsman who could guide them all the way. Though his return will bolster their batting, Smith must be protected ahead of the crucial 2019 World Cup.

Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell

Maxwell has been a permanent fixture in the Australian squad for quite some time now and is certainly in the reckoning for the 2019 World Cup. Though he failed with the bat in the ODI series against South Africa recently, his T20Is performance against South Africa and India was comparatively good.

Maxwell, who was bought by the Delhi Daredevils for a whopping INR 9 crore last season, was released by the franchise ahead of the IPL 2019 auctions after a poor outing.

Delhi had high hopes on the Aussie all-rounder prior to the 2018 IPL, but he hardly managed to live up to the expectations as well as the price-tag managing just 169 runs and five wickets in 12 matches.

Maxwell can be a valuable asset for any team in the T20s, so a tight bid should be expected for him during the 2019 auctions. He has amassed 1397 IPL runs at a strike-rate of 161.13. However, Maxwell is the X-factor for Australia in limited overs setup, and so the valuable all-rounder must undoubtedly be protected during the 2019 IPL.

Aaron Finch

Aaron Finch

The current Australian limited-overs skipper, Aaron Finch was released by the Kings XI Punjab ahead of the 2019 IPL auctions. Finch, who was bought by KXIP for INR 6.2 crore at the 2018 IPL auctions, managed just 134 runs in ten matches last season.

Finch has played for seven different IPL franchises so far- the Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Daredevils, Pune Warriors India, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Lions and Kings XI Punjab is the only player to do so.

So far, he has amassed 1738 IPL runs in 75 matches at a strike-rate of 130.38. Certainly, he is someone who could provide the electrifying start at the top of the innings hence the franchises might be tempted to bolster their squads by adding him to their ranks.

Having been a pivotal member for the Aussies at the top, the current skipper will be key to the Men in Yellow's title defence at the World Cup and must be protected during the 2019 IPL.

Chris Lynn

Chris Lynn

Having tried several players (Shaun Marsh, D' Arcy Short and Travis Head) at the top in the absence of David Warner, Australia seem to have found the right solution in Chris Lynn.

Lynn, who was bought for a staggering INR 9.6 crore by the Kolkata Knight Riders at the 2018 auctions, has been retained ahead of the 2019 IPL. The Brisbane-man amassed 491 runs in 16 matches at a strike-rate of 141.12 for Dinesh Karthik's men who finished third last season.

The swash-buckling opener is likely to be in the World Cup plans and as certainly got the backing of skipper Finch. With Warner expected to return to the squad only after March 27, Lynn will be a key man at the top along with skipper Finch.

If he gets going against India in the ODIs earlier next year, then he might be an automatic choice for the World Cup. The KKR star has had issues with fitness in the recent past, most notably with his dodgy shoulder, and hence the swashbuckling batsman must be protected during the 2019 IPL to keep him fit for the mega event.