The cricket governing body for England and Wales, the ECB, has announced the complete availability of its players for the next three editions of the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL). It therefore prohibits its players from participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) during the domestic season. As per a report by The Telegraph on Thursday (November 28), the English players will therefore not be able to participate in PSL tournaments and other franchise leagues across the globe aside from the IPL because it collides with domestic summer.
Expectedly, it could cost a few English players some fine money as several seasons are now home-based. But according to the board, this new policy will also increase domestic-level improvement.
According to the report, “The ECB will also discontinue any appearance by the players at any competitions that clash with the Vitality Blast and the Hundred competitions. The board also talked about suspected leagues of corruption, with players forbidden from “double-dipping” – where players switch to another tournament as soon as he is eliminated from competing in another tournament that is still active.
Thus, under the new policy, English cricketers who have long ceased playing First Class cricket will no longer be permitted to miss domestic white-ball matches played in England.
“We must protect the integrity of our sport and the strength of our competitions in England and Wales as well,” was quoted by The Telegraph as saying ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould.
“The policy gives clarity to players and professional counties about our approach for issuing No Objection Certificates. It will enable us to bring the appropriate balance between supporting players wanting to take opportunities to earn or experience and protecting the global integrity of cricket so we do not undermine our own ECB competitions, and looking after the welfare of centrally contracted England players,” he went on.
Pakistan Super League 2025 is tentatively scheduled for takings, which are expected to occur sometime between mid-April and mid-March next year. The current season has coincided with the ICC Champions Trophy that is set to weigh heavily on February and March next year. Coincidentally, it will overlap with the IPL, purportedly set to commence on March 14.
The majority of top English players, including Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Reece Topley, and others, will play for the IPL franchises after being picked up by different franchises in the mega auction recently held in Jeddah on November 24 and 25.
