By Rory Dollard
ED SMITH is adamant England’s best interests – and not deference to the IPL – lie behind the omission of Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler from next month’s Twenty20s in the West Indies.
Both players have been rested for the three-match series, which starts in St Lucia on March 5 before a double header in St Kitts, in a bid to keep them fresh and firing throughout a taxing summer where they will be fighting for World Cup and Ashes success.
That the pair will return from their break in time to link up with Rajasthan Royals will not go down well with those who...