IPL Auction 2020: 5 English batsmen to watch out for

There has been quite a remarkable improvement in English white-ball cricket over the past few years, and right now, their players are valued more than ever before.

In July, England won the Cricket World Cup for the first time with the victory over New Zealand in an incredible finale. The win completed an impressive turn around for England, who were dumped out of the previous World Cup in the group stage by Bangladesh after a series of underwhelming performances.

With the bat, England have turned to younger, more expansive players, who have produced some stunning batting displays in the shorter forms of the game in the last few years. Twice over the last few years, they broke the record for the highest score in an ODI, first against Pakistan, and then against Australia.

The increased focus on the white-ball game over the past few years has seen the development of some genuinely world-class players in the England side, such as Jason Roy and Jos Buttler.

We have also seen an increase in the number of English players playing in overseas tournaments around the world, and we are likely to see them more than ever in the IPL in 2020, as for the first time in years it doesn’t overlap with any England series.

Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler are among those being retained by their respective sides ahead of December’s auction, but there are plenty more players hoping to be bought.

Also see - India West Indies schedule

Here are five English batsmen to watch out for in the auction.

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#1 Tom Banton

Banton had a brilliant t20 Blast playing for Somerset

Tom Banton’s name may be a new one amongst some Indian viewers, but the opener is one of the most talented young players in England at the moment. The Somerset opener was second only to teammate Babar Azam in the list of highest run-scorers in the T20 Blast, scoring 549 runs at an average of 42.23, which included a brilliant hundred against Kent.

The 21-year-old was selected for England’s T20 series with New Zealand earlier this month, where he played three games, scoring 56 runs. Although he didn’t get the numbers he may have wished for, his style impressed many onlookers, who likened his technique to that of Kevin Pietersen. Banton will also spend time this winter playing for Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash, an experience that will surely only improve his skills.

#2 Liam Livingstone

Livingstone has an excellent T20 record

Liam Livingstone is one of the English players who find himself without a team after a stint at last year’s tournament. The batsman played four times for the Rajasthan Royals at the 2019 tournament, scoring 71 runs, with 44 of those coming in a powerful knock against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Now, with the Royals bringing back Steve Smith as captain, as well as having Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer in the squad, it may be in Livingstone’s best interest that he was released by the Royals. He would have found opportunities limited with those four overseas stars in the squad.

The 26-year-old is capable of playing in several roles, including being able to build an innings batting at the top of the order, or coming in at the end of the innings to strike a few big blows. He also bowls some decent leg-spinners, which can prove more than useful for a couple of overs.

#3 Sam Billings

Billings was England's vice-captain for the T20 series with New Zealand

Sam Billings has been the nearly man of English cricket for the last few years. The Kent batsman is one of the more talented players on the T20 scene in England but has often found himself behind the likes of Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow in the pecking order. He also missed out on a spot in the World Cup-winning squad due to injury. Even at the Chennai Super Kings, Billings found himself behind several quality overseas players, and behind MS Dhoni in line for the wicketkeeping role.

The 28-year-old could be a fine buy for several IPL sides. He is reaching his prime as a batsman but his main issue is his lack of consistency. If he can find his top form, he could play a vital role in any side.

#4 Alex Hales

Hales' hundred against Sri Lanka remains England's highest score in t20 internationals

Of all the English players who could be available at next month’s auction, very few have the international credentials that Alex Hales has. Despite his well-documented off-field problems, which cost him a spot in England’s World Cup squad, the opener remains one of the most destructive English players on the T20 circuit. Hales is now on just a white-ball contract at Nottinghamshire, meaning he spends his time across the world at different tournaments, and the IPL is one of the few competitions he has not yet enjoyed success in.

Hales is one of just two Englishmen to have scored an international T20 century, with that coming against Sri Lanka in 2014, and he still possesses that power, and all the shots that come with it. He will know that he has very little chance of returning to the England setup in the future, and his only real chance of doing so is by performing in the IPL, and showing that he can do the business in all conditions.

#5 Laurie Evans

Evans has played in a number of white-ball tournaments around the world

Despite being uncapped by England, Laurie Evans has been one of the most sought after players around the world in many white ball competitions. At 32, his chances of making the grade at the international level may have passed, but he has found a new lease of life since his move to join Sussex from Warwickshire in 2017. So far in 2019, he has appeared for Rajshahi Kings in the BPL, Multan Sultans in the PSL, and St Kitts & Nevis Patriots in the CPL.

Evans may now, however, be looking to go to the bigger stage, and the IPL might just be the place for him to go for the next challenge in his career. It may be that Evans has to wait for his chance if a team is willing to take the risk and pick him up, but he will certainly be keen to take it.