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Lucknow Super Giants pacer David Willey is set to miss the start of the Indian Premier League 2024. The Lucknow-based franchise roped in the England bowler for his base price of INR 2 crore. However, the left-arm pacer won’t join the team, due to personal reasons. Willey spent the last two seasons of the tournament with Royal Challengers Bangalore. Willey was in back-to-back action in the last couple of months as he played for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in ILT20 and then participated in the Pakistan Super League.
With two days left for the 17th season of the Indian Premier League, LSG’s new head coach Justin Langer revealed that Willey won’t be available for the start of the season. However, the franchise hasn’t looked for any replacement for Willey which means that the cricketer might travel to India soon. Notably, LSG will open their campaign against Rajasthan Royals on March 24 in Jaipur.
Justin Langer voices concern after David Willey and Mark Wood’s absence in LSG
Mark Wood pulled out of the entire season of the tournament due to workload management, after which the franchise signed Shamar Joseph as his replacement. Now with Willey missing the initial phase of the tournament, Langer voiced concern addressing lack of experience in the pace bowling department. ESPNCricinfo quoted him as saying, “With Mark Wood pulling out of the tournament and also David Willey won't be coming now either, that means we lack some experience. But what I've also seen in the last couple of days is that we have enormous talent.”
He added, “We also have Shamar Joseph, we have Mayank who bowls with very good pace. Hopefully, we can replace, not experience, but his pace with Shamar Joseph and Mayank. He'll be missed - of course, he'll be missed, he's a world-class bowler - but this is the world we live in and we will adapt and we will be okay."
