With the IPL close to the halfway mark of the group stages, here’s how the England players on display have performed so far.
Jos Buttler – Rajasthan Royals
6 matches, 375 runs @ 75.00, SR 156.90
Buttler has been the standout player of the IPL so far. Such has been his dominance with the bat that he is currently 139 runs ahead of the current second leading run scorer of the competition. From six innings he has passed 50 on four occasions, including two centuries.
Liam Livingstone – Punjab Kings
6 matches, 224 runs @ 37.33, SR 185.12
Livingstone’s reputation as a power hitter has only increased in this IPL. Three scores past 50 in six innings with a staggering strike-rate of 185, Livingstone has been a key part of the high-risk, high-reward strategy of the Punjab Kings and is currently the leading run scorer for the team.
Moeen Ali – Chennai Super Kings
5 matches, 87 runs @ 17.40, SR 124.28
It has been a low key start to the tournament for Ali, who is yet to take a wicket in the eight overs he has bowled across five matches and has had three single figure scores from his five innings. But, he has still contributed. A 48 off 35 came against the Sunrisers whilst 35 off 22 was his showing against the Lucknow Super Giants.
Chris Jordan – Chennai Super Kings
4 matches, 2 wkts @ 67.50, Econ 10.51
Jordan has featured in four out of six of the Super Kings’ matches and after an excellent start against the Punjab Kings where he took 2-23 off his four overs has faltered from there, going wicketless and above ten an over in the three matches since. Jordan had a particularly chastening outing against Gujurat Titans where he conceded 58 runs from 3.5 overs.
Sam Billings – Kolkata Knight Riders
5 matches, 95 runs @ 23.75, SR 117.28
Billings’ IPL adventures have continued this year after being signed by Kolkata Knight Riders. His third IPL franchise. In five games he has reached double figures on each occasion but is yet to go on and make a big score. His low strike rate of 117.28 should be caveated by two run-a-ball twenties that have been made whilst successfully navigating a low scoring chase. Billings has found himself out of the team for his sides’ last two fixtures through illness.
Tymal Mills – Mumbai Indians
5 matches, 6 wickets @ 31.66, Econ 11.17
Mills’ campaign got off to a good start for Mumbai Indians with two strong performances against Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals where he took four wickets at an economy below eight an over. Two middling performances followed before he had a day to forget against Lucknow Super Giants, bowling three overs for 54 runs. Mills is the sole English player to have played for Mumbai Indians this year, a team who are yet to record their first win of the competition.
Jonny Bairstow – Punjab Kings
3 matches, 32 runs @ 10.66, SR 103.22
Bairstow arrived at the IPL late having been playing Test cricket in the Caribbean for England. In his three games so far he is yet to have made an impact but it is surely only a matter of time for the world-class white ball player.
David Willey – Royal Challengers Bangalore
4 matches, 1 wkt @ 72.00, Econ 6.54, 18 runs @ 9, SR 60.00
It has been an interesting tournament so far for the left arm seamer, who has just the one wicket from four games but has been very economical. Willey has often been used just with the new ball and then not brought back. He also has floated in the batting order, although experienced a tortuous experience when moved up to No.4 and proceeding to score just 18 off 28 balls, an innings which almost cost his side the game when chasing just 132.
