CA tries to put the brakes on T20 players

A PLAN to stop cricketers signing for more than three domestic Twenty20 tournaments in a year has been declared unworkable and could face significant legal hurdles.

But as the business of domestic bash and crash leagues reaches worrying levels, Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland wants protecting the primacy of international cricket to shoot to the top of the International Cricket Council’s priority list.

A proposal from Cricket West Indies will be tabled at the ICC chief executives’ meeting in Kolkata next month in a bid to curb the impact of T20 leagues on international cricket, with potentially three more starting in the next 18 months offering players short-form riches.

The Windies have suffered more than most, with several first-choice internationals playing in the Pakistan Super League instead of helping the country secure a World Cup berth in the qualifying event in Zimbabwe.

Among several proposals is a rule that would stop any player aged under 32 signing for more than three domestic T20 leagues — one home and two away — in any calendar year.

Such a move would severely affect players such as Aussie slugger Chris Lynn, who has declared his intention to play in as many leagues as possible between playing limited-overs cricket for his country.

This year Lynn, 27, had a contract in the PSL, but missed through injury and will play in the Indian Premier League and the Caribbean Premier League, having already played in the Big Bash.

The proposed new rule would stop him from doing that. The Australian Cricketers Association was wary of any moves to limit where, and when, players could ply their trade.

“Any discussion regarding the restriction of player movement, limiting the number of T20 competitions, or compensation payments to a player’s country of origin will need further investigation,” an ACA spokesman said.