A major dispute is brewing in English cricket as approximately 50 top players threaten to boycott next year’s The Hundred tournament. The protest follows the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) decision to restrict participation in overseas franchise leagues, particularly the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
The ECB’s updated “no-objection certificate” (NOC) policy prohibits players from participating in leagues overlapping with the English summer unless they hold white-ball-only county contracts. While the IPL was exempted from these restrictions, the PSL and other leagues like the Caribbean Premier League and Major League Cricket were not. This has frustrated players who view the PSL as a lucrative and competitive opportunity.
The PSL, now scheduled during April-May to align with the IPL, has attracted offers of up to $400,000 for top-tier talent. However, English cricketers such as Jonny Bairstow and Luke Wood, despite not being in active Test plans, are barred from participation due to their red-ball contracts.
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Players accuse the ECB of favoritism toward the IPL and financial motives tied to The Hundred. The potential boycott, backed by the Professional Cricketers’ Association, raises questions about the fairness of the ECB’s policies. Talks between players, the ECB, and league organizers are ongoing, with significant implications for English cricket’s domestic and international reputation.
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