IPL pull-out disappoints Australian players

Australia news

Bulletin by Shwe Wai

	Shane Watson will not be joining Rajasthan Royals

Shane Watson, Nathan Bracken and James Hopes will not contest Cricket Australia's move to stand them down from the IPL, despite being left disappointed and out of pocket by the decision. The trio had hoped to join Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab respectively from this weekend, only to be ruled out after undergoing medical examinations by Australian team doctor, Trefor James.

Bracken and Hopes were in line to earn in excess of $100,000 in pro-rata payments for a fortnight's work, having signed deals worth $325,000 and $300,000 with their IPL franchises. Both were hopeful of receiving medical clearance to join their teams in South Africa, but were informed prior to Australia's Twenty20 match against Pakistan - a game in which they both batted and bowled - that minor knee injuries would rule them out.

"He was keen as mustard to play with Bangalore," Rob Horton, Bracken's agent, said. "He was prepared to go and get the release from Cricket Australia, but he was not granted medical clearance so couldn't go. He's disappointed, but he can also see the bigger picture here. While he did have a knee injury last year, and it has since come good and not given him much trouble, there is also a heavy schedule coming up. He understands their reasoning. Apart from the dollars at stake, he had signed an IPL contract and wanted to fulfil it.

"There is no point trying to appeal the decision. Cricket Australia has the final say. I was talking to [Bracken] last night, and he knows there is a busy schedule coming up, which also includes the Twenty20 Champions League, because NSW qualified. He understands the reasoning behind it. Moves like this can help provide longevity for his career. He's not a young chicken anymore. At the top level of the game, he probably has another four good years and he wants to get the maximum out of it."