Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) player David Willey will miss the first few Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 games for personal reasons. During the previous two IPL seasons, the left-arm speedster was a member of the Royal Challengers Bangalore. But the Super Giants snatched him up for his basic price of INR 2 crore at the 2024 Indian Premier League auction in Dubai.
Willey will not be available to begin the 17th season of the lucrative league, according to information released by LSG’s new head coach, Justin Langer, on Wednesday, March 20. Playing for the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the ILT20 and the Multan Sultans in the just-concluded PSL, the England pacer has been on the road for the past few months.
“We are short on experience because David Willey isn’t coming now and Mark Wood withdrew from the event. But in the last few days, I’ve also noticed that we have a ton of talent. As to ESPNcricinfo, Langer responded to a question regarding LSG’s pace attack, saying, “Some of our guys have had some injuries, but they all look very fit at the moment.”
“They appear to be in good health and are rather hungry, so all we need to do is control them effectively to get them through the entire competition, not just the opening round. If needed, we may be able to add some experience to one international player we have up our sleeve,” he continued.
According to reports, the Lucknow-based team has not yet replaced Willey and he may join the team later in the competition. Since the ODI World Cup 2023 in India, he has spent the majority of the English winter away from home. After competing in the PSL final on Monday, March 18, the 34-year-old went back home. In the Karachi title match, he played for the Multan Sultans, who were defeated by Islamabad United. Throughout the competition, Willey was a terrific bowler, taking 15 wickets at an average of 20.40 in 11 games while giving up runs at a respectable economy rate of 7.46.
We have a ton of skill, as I have also witnessed in the last several days: Justin Langer
The ECB decided to withdraw Mark Wood, who was scheduled to play for the Super Giants in the IPL 2024, from the competition in order to manage his workload in advance of the T20 World Cup in June. The LSG management’s worries will only grow as Willey is absent. That being said, Langer pointed out that the bowling department has a wealth of skill and a strong desire to succeed on a national level.
When asked about LSG’s pace assault, Langer responded, “We lack some experience with Mark Wood pulling out of the tournament and also David Willey won’t be coming now either.”
But in the last few days, I’ve also noticed that we have a ton of talent. Despite a few injuries, all of our guys appear to be in excellent shape right now. They appear to be in good health and are ravenous, so all we need to do is control them well enough to get them through the entire competition, not just the opening stages. If needed, we may be able to add some experience with one overseas player we have up our sleeves,” the former Australian opener continued.
While Langer was disappointed that Wood would not be available for the entire season, he was hopeful that Mayank Yadav, a 21-year-old pacer from Delhi, and Shamar Joseph, a sensation from the West Indies, would provide strength to the pace-bowling unit.
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“Mark Wood, isn’t he a bowler of the highest caliber? And he withdrew following the auction, which is regrettable, but that is the reality of the world we live in,” Langer remarked.
“Mayank, who bowls at a very fast tempo, and Shamar Joseph are also available. With Shamar Joseph and Mayank, maybe we can replace Wood’s pace rather than his expertise. He’ll be missed—obviously, as a world-class bowler, he will be missed—but we will adjust and get by in this world,” he said.
On Sunday, March 24, Lucknow will travel to Jaipur to play the Rajasthan Royals, the defending champions, in an afternoon matchup that will kick off their quest for an IPL championship.
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