Players from a number of leading countries have been involved in conversations with IPL franchises about the possibility of contracts which will see them play in multiple leagues for the franchise.
Though discussions have been informal, they do raise the prospect wherein the main employers for leading players could eventually be an IPL franchise, rather than a full-member board.
The Times reported on Tuesday that six English players, including some internationals, were approached by IPL franchise owners and asked whether they would be open to a deal in which the franchise owner, rather than the board or county, would be their main employer.
These conversations have taken place not just in England, but in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and West Indies, according to Heath Mills, executive chairman of FICA, the global players’ body.
“There have been informal conversations between some franchises and players about being available to play in multiple tournaments,” Mills told ESPNcricinfo.
“That can take a different shape and form for different players. But it should come as no surprise to anyone in cricket that these conversations are happening and that players will have these sorts of options in the future.
“Without going into the specifics of individual conversations, they are about a player being available to play for a franchise in different T20 leagues. A franchise might have three or four teams globally, so they might want the player in multiple competitions – as opposed to just the IPL. It’s not necessarily about signing a player up for all competitions exclusively but rather additional ones to their IPL team.”
Rain interrupted several matches in the LV= Insurance County Championship but Kemar Roach still helped Surrey seize the upper hand against Warwickshire on the opening day.
While only 51 overs were played under gloomy skies at Edgbaston, Surrey, having asked their opponents to bat, reduced Warwickshire to 143 for eight as Roach took three for 31 in this Division One clash.
Daniel Worrall also chipped in with a couple of wickets as Warwickshire lurched to 93 for six but Dan Mousley burnished a growing reputation with 55 not out and found an ally in England’s Chris Woakes.
Jordan Clark ended Woakes’ fun on 27 and snared Hasan Ali next ball but, with the end of Warwickshire’s innings in sight, the heavens opened at the end of that over to end any hope of further action.
Kent are in similar trouble after falling to 113 for six in the 47 overs that were possible against Middlesex at Lord’s – although opener Ben Compton was able to offer some resistance with 38 not out.
After a glowing 170 against Essex last week, Zak Crawley was out for 11 when his stumps were rearranged by Tim Murtagh – the fourth time in six innings this season the under-fire England opener has been dismissed for less than 15.
West Indies white ball opener Brandon King was a significant contributor as Team Weekes ended day one of their Headley-Weekes four-day series fixture in a strong position against the West Indies Academy at Coolidge on Wednesday.
King made a 148-ball 92, supporting Zachary McCaskie’s 147-ball 93, as Team Weekes ended the day 365-7 off 90 overs. Jahmar Hamilton (57) and Kevin Sinclair (52*) also got fifties on day one.
Entering this contest, King had an average of 34.84 in 32 First-Class games including three hundreds and 12 fifties.
King's last four-day appearance came in March last year when he made an unbeaten 119 for the Jamaica Scorpions against the Windward Islands Volcanoes at the Brian Lara Stadium.
He spoke about his return to red-ball cricket after the day’s play.
“Very happy to be back playing red ball cricket. It’s been a little while. It was great fun batting out there with no time restrictions,” King said.
ST JOHN'S, Antigua (CMC) – Alick Athanaze says he is relishing the opportunity to be among the runs again when his Team Weekes clash with high-flying West Indies Academy in the second match of the Headley Weekes Tri-Series.
The 24-year-old left-hander was the leading scorer during the recently concluded West Indies Championship with 647 runs at an average of nearly 65, and will be leading Team Weekes when the contest gets underway at Coolidge Cricket Ground on Wednesday.
"I would definitely like to get some runs here. It's another opportunity to put my name in the hat [for selection] again," Athanaze said.
"I see cricket as bat and ball and as long as I keep following the same process, most of the times you will do well.
"Cricket is also an up and down game but let's see what happens in this game."
Athanaze also led Windward Islands Volcanoes during the West Indies Championship, taking them within touching distance of the title before they were edged out by Guyana Harpy Eagles on the final day.
West Indies ODI captain Shai Hope ended his three-match stint with English County Championship side Yorkshire County Cricket Club with an unbeaten half-century in their drawn match against Sussex on Sunday.
The 29-year-old had a fairly successful run with the Division II County Cricket side, scoring 13 and 83 in a loss to Leicestershire and 38 and 53 not out in a draw against Sussex. Yorkshire’s match against Gloucestershire was abandoned.
Notwithstanding the short run, Hope said he had a good time playing league cricket.
