English players may lose central contracts for IPL

English cricketers wanting to play in the Indian Premier League next year may be asked to give away their central contracts by an adamant ECB, which has made it clear that international engagements are top priority.

England team Managing Director Hugh Morris has categorically stated that the England Cricket Board (ECB) can release the interested cricketers for only two weeks as scheduled Tests and ODI programmes cannot be altered. And those wanting to go for the full event may be asked to forego central contracts.

“We will be playing Test matches in the early part of May and clearly that will have an impact on the amount of time that players may or may not go to IPL.

“My understanding is that the ICC, IPL and the ECB have made it very clear from the word go that international cricket takes precedence over domestic tournaments and I think that will be the case. That’s the very clear message we get from ICC. I understand that is what IPL think as well,” Morris was quoted as saying by ‘The Daily Telegraph’.

English players are yet to sign this year’s central contracts with the ECB, but there is every possibility of a standoff between players and the Board.

“I think we’ve made it very clear that we are very happy for the players to have a window of opportunity for the players to play in the IPL,” said Morris.

“Last year at the IPL, the Australians were only there for 25 per cent of the time because they had a Test series in the West Indies,” he added.

As per IPL rules all cricketers participating in the Twenty20 tournament need a ‘No Objection Certificates’ from their respective boards.

Yousuf all set to join rebel league?

There was a new twist in Pakistan’s ace batsman Mohammad Yousuf’s unending saga with the Indian Cricket League, on Monday. Interestingly, Yousuf left for New Delhi even as the Pakistan Cricket Board selectors decided to name him in the squad for the ODI series against the West Indies scheduled in Abu Dhabi next week.

Though PCB has termed it as a private visit, rumours about him joining the league have gained momentum. Speaking on the development, ICL executive board member Bharat Reddy said, “You will come to know about the league’s official stand tomorrow.”

But when pressed further, he nodded and said, “It’s very likely.”

Yousuf has had a bittersweet relationship with the league, with him being involved in a legal wrangle for breach of contract.

The middle-order batsman, who had signed up for the league in August 2007, failed to abide by his contractual obligations and decided to return his advance payment only to join the rival Indian Premier League. As a result, the ICL filed a case against him in Mumbai, which is still pending.

IPL threatens

PTI adds from Karachi: Indian Premier League official and former BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah has threatened to take legal course against Yousuf if the Pakistani batsman returned to the ICL fold.

Dhoni remains atop ICC ODI batsmen table

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who was on Sunday appointed as India Test team captain following the retirement of Anil Kumble, continued to top the One-Day International batsmen chart in the ICC players ranking issued on Monday.

Dhoni with 793 points is way ahead of his nearest rival Australian Mike Hussey (776) with South African skipper Greame Smith(757) occupying the third spot.

Apart from Dhoni, no other Indian features in the top 10 batsmen ranking with Yuvraj Singh languishing at the 17th spot.

Also, Indian bowlers cut a sorry figure in the bowling ranking as none could make it to the top 20 ODI bowlers chart, which is being headed by left-arm Australian pacer Nathan Bracken. New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori and Australian Mitchell Johnson are in the second and third spot respectively.

Kiwi Jacob Oram leads the all-rounder pack, followed by Andrew Flintoff of England and Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik.

Meanwhile, India, with 113 points, find themselves in the fifth position in the ICC ODI Championship table. Australia is at the top with 131 points, followed by South Africa (118) and England (116).