England’s batsman Barstow has said that the IPL has helped him to play better in the Test series against New Zealand.
England won the 2nd Test against New Zealand by 5 wickets to win the Test series. England set a target of 299 for victory on the final day. The team played brilliantly and scored 299 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in 50 overs. Burstow hit 136 off 92 balls with 7 sixes and 14 fours and Stokes was unbeaten on 75. Just as the Indian team chased down a tough target on the final day at the Kaaba ground in Australia, the England team played an action-packed victory on the final day at the Trent Bridge ground and achieved an unforgettable victory.
In Test cricket, Burstow is credited with having the highest strike rate (at least 100 runs) when chasing a goal.
Here is what Burstow said about the benefits of the IPL:
Many have said that I should not play in the IPL (because of the New Zealand Test series) and should instead play county cricket. They say it would be good practice to play in four first-class matches before a Test series. But that is not possible according to the current cricket schedule. You will play against the best players in the IPL. So there will be a situation where you have to play better. We play against the best players in the best matches. He said it would help in many ways if he played well in the stressful moments of those matches.
Barstow played for the Punjab Kings in the IPL.