IPL stars face ECB grilling
THE ECB could be on a fresh collision course with the Indian Premier League as some of English cricket’s top T20 players look to cash in on the world’s richest tournament.
Mark Wood and Joe
Root have both thrown their hat into the ring for next month’s mega-bucks auction, which looks set to take place on 12 and 13 February in Bengaluru.
Others could follow, particularly as former England coach Andy Flower prepares to take over at the new Lucknow franchise.
Sunday Mirror Sport understands that Hampshire captain James Vince has already been lined up by the IPL’s new entrants.
The likes of Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow could also attract sizeable bids.
All which could prove a nightmare for the ECB as they look to rebuild after the Ashes debacle.
Wood and Root are clearly key men for England — and two of the better performers from a disastrous Australia trip.
But reports this week suggest that Ashley Giles, the ECB’s managing director, will recommend that those centrally contracted players who are signed will have to limit their involvement in the tournament.
And that could lead to some difficult discussions between the ECB and key players, who know that the kind of contracts on offer in the IPL don’t come around too often.
But Root has made it clear that he’ll only put pen to IPL paper with the blessing of his employers.
“I will never compromise or do anything that will detract from playing Test cricket for England,” he said. “It is so important to make sure that is the priority for me and other players as well.”
Only Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali were retained by their franchises at the conclusion of the 2021 tournament.