McDonald hopes for slice of action

Andrew McDonald is an energetic cricketer — it appears as though he has springs in his steps. After a good 20-minute workout with his team-mates under hot conditions, he hustled to address the media.

Constantly wiping sweat off his face, the all-rounder completed his interaction with scribes and then ran back to resume bowling at the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s nets.  

The Victorian, picked up by Challengers during the transfer window in January, will be hoping he will be as busy as he was on Thursday once the Indian Premier League kicks off on April 4. The Australian spent his last three years with Delhi Daredevils doing precious little. The 30-year-old could play in just eight matches, including just one appearance in the last edition. 

“Looking to contribute...,” said McDonald when asked about his latest assignment. “This is a fantastic team and it’s been a great franchise enjoying success over the years. Obviously the last time with Delhi, there wasn’t much action there, so (I am ) looking to contribute to the new franchise.”

Coming off a fairly successful Big Bash T20 league, McDonald feels IPL is a bigger platform with the world’s best on show. “It is a question I am always asked, about comparing the leagues all around the world,” said the four-Test veteran when asked about his experiences in the two private T20 leagues. “It’s a quite difficult one (to compare) because of the vast difference in conditions.

It is a huge factor. Obviously in Australia, it’s a little bit more bouncy and out here there are chances of spin. It is hard to judge. This is a fantastic tournament having probably the world’s best players and you got to say that this attracts the world’s best and it is a tournament I want to be involved in.”

The likes of Mitchell Johnson and Michael Clarke, who for long stayed away from IPL to focus their energies on national assignments, will be part of the fifth edition of the Indian bash and McDonald agreed it could just be the changing opinion of players towards the league. “Michael Clarke (signed by Pune Warriors) is obviously a big one.

For the Australian captain to get on board is a big step. It is probably got to do with the scheduling as well as the fact that the Australians have a bit of a break coming up (in the international schedule). Of course when it is a congested season and you got to pick and choose, country is obviously the priority.

Everyone wants to play a part in the IPL and Clarke has now put his hand up, and it’s a good sign the best cricketers are playing in the world’s best tournament,” he explained.