IPL: Michael Slater escapes but David Warner abandoned

The IPL turned ugly for Australians facing jail if they return, but Michael Slater has escaped while David Warner’s woes mount.

Cricketers Kane Williamson (L) & David Warner (R) pictured aboard a flight in hazmat attire. Picture: Instagram @davidwarner31

Michael Slater has made it out of India, but David Warner is stuck in India after his franchise dropped him from the team and removed him from the captaincy.

It is a bitter blow for one of the IPL’s biggest stars particularly coming at a time when Australia has turned its back on citizens in India.

If Warner or any of his fellow countrymen try to come home from India before May 15 they face five years in jail. The move appears to be in response to Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson flying home Friday morning via Doha when Prime Minister Scott Morrison had mistakenly announced that route was closed.

There is no guarantee that the ban will be lifted on May 15.

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Mr Morrison made it clear he has no sympathy for the cricketers, noting at his press conference they were not representing their country while playing at the IPL.

Human rights organisations and the opposition have slammed the extraordinary move.

The decision and threat of jail time has alarmed the 30 plus Australians at the IPL and many feel abandoned. Some are exploring avenues to isolate overseas at the end of the tournament with suggestions they attempt to hire a group of villas in the UAE as they fear exposure in hotels.

Slater, a commentator at the tournament, had been trying to get out for a week and eventually found his way to the Maldives where he will wait until he can return to his home country without the threat of being thrown into jail.

Umpire Paul Reiffel missed his flight out of India by a matter of minutes after the borders were closed.

Warner, who has captained the Sunrisers Hyderabad to the championship title, has been the highest run scorer in the tournament on three occasions and last season became the fastest to 5000 runs in his IPL career.

He has scored two half centuries and averaged 32 in six matches this year but his strike rate of 110 is low and his side is languishing at the bottom or the table.

Warner has been replaced as skipper by New Zealand’s Kane Williamson who filled in for him after he stood down from the position in the season following the South African scandal.

There has been the hint of tensions behind the scenes at the club whose director of cricket is Tom Moody and coach Trevor Bayliss.

After a recent loss Warner appeared frustrated by the decision to drop Manish Pandey.

“It was a harsh call in my opinion. But at the end of the day, it is a decision of the selectors to do that,” Warner said at the post-match presentation.

Daniel Vettori was stunned by the decision to axe the Australian.

“It’s staggering really, it may have been alluded to in the last little while with Warner talking about selection issues and taking so much responsibility for the loss in the last game,” the New Zealand champion said in an interview on Cricinfo.

“This is so unlike Sunrisers, particularly with David Warner who has been the heart and soul of the team for a number of years.

“His performances have been so magnificent and his captaincy has been outstanding as well and he’s led the team to a title.

“Anyone who is not involved with the Sunrisers sits back and thinks this is a huge move, but it is a move by a franchise that sits at the bottom of the table.”

Warner is considered one of the best batsmen and skippers in the T20 game.

The franchise put out a statement about the decision on the weekend.

“Sunrisers Hyderabad would like to announce that Kane Williamson will be taking over the captaincy for tomorrow’s match and for the remainder of IPL 2021,” it said.

“The team management has also made the decision that they will be changing their overseas combination for tomorrow’s match against Rajasthan Royals.

“This decision has not come lightly as the management respects the enormous impact David Warner has had for the franchise over a number of years. As we face the remainder of the season we are sure David will continue to help us strive for success both on and off the field.

Steve Smith, who captained the Rajasthan Royals in last year’s tournament, was axed in the off season and picked up a contract for far less money with Ricky Ponting’s Delhi this year.