England clear players to put IPL before Tests

England will allow players to skip Test matches to play in the Indian Premier League and other limited-overs tournaments under a radical plan from Director of Cricket and former Test skipper Andrew Strauss.

The switch of emphasis on to white-ball cricket comes in the wake of England's below-par effort in this year's World Cup where they failed to qualify from the group stages after being bundled out by Bangladesh.

England will host the 2019 World Cup and Strauss is desperate for the nation to become a competitive team in the 50-over format before they host the global showpiece tournament.

"We won't get better by treating one-day cricket as the poor relation," Strauss said in the UAE, where England currently trail Pakistan 1-0 in a four-match ODI series.

"We always make our sacrifices in one-day cricket rather than Test cricket, but we need to have far more balance between the two formats. Our best way to prioritise both is by having more separation and more specialists in each team."

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England were booted out of the World Cup in the group stage // Getty Images

Strauss said England would have more "specialists" in red- and white-ball formats, forcing fringe players to choose between striving for a Test career or forging a limited-overs career.

"I don't think you are saying that for the rest of your career you will be viewed only as a white-ball specialist," Strauss said.

"What you're saying is, 'We see you playing a very full role in white-ball cricket, and at the moment, you're not one of those guys that is fundamental to both forms of the game. Therefore, focus on getting better in white-ball cricket'.

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"We all know how hard the international schedule is for people who play all forms of the game. It is unbelievably difficult, and at times they are going to need resting.

"If someone is a white-ball specialist and his focus is on white ball cricket, then it is an easy decision to make. If someone is in the Test team or very close, that's a harder decision.

"But let's be honest: we're not going to make massive strides in white-ball cricket without making some hard decisions along the way."

Australia's David Warner debuted for his country as a Twenty20 player and has since progressed to be one of the world's best batsmen, electrifying supporters in all formats. A similar player under Strauss's plan may not have the same opportunities.

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Exciting England prospect David Willey has been given permission to skip an England Lions developmental squad red-ball tour this summer to play for the Perth Scorchers in the KFC Big Bash League.

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David Willey has signed with the Scorchers // Getty Images

Previously England players had been restricted from appearing in the IPL with the season clashing with the early stages of England's home international season. However, players such as young gun Joe Root, the world's No.3 ranked Test batsmen, could attract big-money offers in the IPL.

"The great thing about going to those tournaments is that you go as an overseas player, so you're under pressure to perform and win games of cricket. That's exactly what we want our players to do," said Strauss.

"Thirty-eight of the 44 players involved in the semi-finals of the World Cup had IPL experience. We should seek further opportunities to get our guys in there.

"We can never be arrogant and just assume that Test cricket will stay forever. We all have a responsibility to try to help the game of cricket grow.

"The people that are focused and in charge of that are the ICC, and they have to make sure they give Test cricket the best possible chance."