Andrew Strauss defends English cricketers who played in IPL

Strauss, who serves as the ECB director, has said that the England players benefited from the recently concluded IPL while admitting that the packed schedule increases the risk of injuries. 

"That is the slight risk you take when you make people available for a chunk of cricket that is outside the international schedule,” Strauss clarified.

"Injuries are part and parcel of the life generally, but on one hand you weigh up the potential risk and on the other you ask what they can potentially gain from that experience."

Ben Stokes, who helped the English team grab the ODI series against South Africa on Saturday, was rested for Monday’s game with an injury. The all-rounder was purchased in the 2017 IPL auction by Rising Pune Supergiant for a record Rs. 14.5 crores.

Chris Woakes, who featured in the Kolkata Knight Riders team, this season, also sat out two of the three ODI’s against the Proteas because of a thigh muscle problem.

"Thankfully I don't think any of those injuries are of massive concern at this stage", Strauss said when asked about Stokes and Woakes' fitness ahead of the Champions Trophy.