Still no clarity on Indian cricket league

Cricket South Africa (CSA) will not stand in the way of contracted players who are approached to play in the newly formed Indian Premier League (IPL), provided that this does not clash with their commitments to the Proteas Test squad or the one-day international squad.

“The Premier League is an initiative of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and as such is recognised by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and consequently by CSA,” said CSA chief executive Gerald Majola.

“Many of our players have been approached to play in this competition, and they will do so with our support and sanction, provided they make an official approach to CSA in this regard,” he continued.

“Obviously, their first commitment is to CSA and to its international commitments in terms of the Future Tours programme. The Proteas team management, coaches and selectors will also have to be happy that participation in the IPL does not prevent them getting adequate rest and rehabilitation periods between international commitments.”

However, there is still no final clarity on the position of players who have signed up for the rival Indian Cricket League (ICL), which has attracted such luminaries as Brian Lara of the West Indies and Shane Warne of Australia.

The ICL was supposed to be played in India in November, but has not won the approval of the BCCI.

Majola has said that anyone who joined the ICL would not be allowed to play in matches organised by CSA.

Five South Africans — Andrew Hall, Nicky Boje, Lance Klusener, Loots Bosman and Johan van der Wath — have signed up for the ICL.

Tony Irish, chief executive of the South African Cricketers’ Association (Saca), said that as matters stood at present, these players would not be allowed to play cricket in South Africa.

“I have taken the matter up with Cricket South Africa,” he said.

“The four franchise players — Boje, Bosman and Van der Wath of the Eagles and Klusener of the Dolphins — have all been left out of their franchise teams for the Supersport Series matches this weekend.

“At present, they are not able to play cricket, which is the way they earn their living.

“Saca and CSA are holding talks on the matter, and I hope the matter will be clarified soon.”

Andrew Hall is still on a national contract, but has advised convenor of selectors Joubert Strydom that he does not want to be considered for selection.

Meanwhile, Supercricket reports that Proteas captain Graeme Smith, Herschelle Gibbs, AB de Villiers, Ashwell Prince and rising star Albie Morkel are among 10 international players who have signed up for the inaugural IPL Twenty20 competition, scheduled to be played next year.