This Indian cricket thing

[Don Rogers Shop]

I dont really follow cricket, could someone explain what the big deal is and why the English players cant or wont play.

[Boeta]

its a twenty20 competition in india with a ridiculous amount of money floating about. pretty much all the top players in the world will be playing for thesenewly created franchises earning more per week than christiano ronaldo for players such as ms dhoni

england players want a piece of the action because the money's so good but are unable to play because they are contracted either to the ecb or their county who obviously expect the players to play for them.

the ecb are looking at making our own twenty20 cup more open to the financial riches as of next year, but whether it will be enough to prevent a revolution will be intresting to see

a lot of people are worried that because of the money in twenty20 it will overpower the real forms of the game that ebb and flow and are essentially the definition of the game - 4 and 5 day cricket

hope that helps

[fatbury]

im supporting Rajestan Royals .. come on Warney!

[Don Rogers Shop]

its a twenty20 competition in india with a ridiculous amount of money floating about. pretty much all the top players in the world will be playing for thesenewly created franchises earning more per week than christiano ronaldo for players such as ms dhoni

england players want a piece of the action because the money's so good but are unable to play because they are contracted either to the ecb or their county who obviously expect the players to play for them.

the ecb are looking at making our own twenty20 cup more open to the financial riches as of next year, but whether it will be enough to prevent a revolution will be intresting to see

a lot of people are worried that because of the money in twenty20 it will overpower the real forms of the game that ebb and flow and are essentially the definition of the game - 4 and 5 day cricket

hope that helps

Cheers Boeta that has made it clear.

[lebowski]

And it starts tomorrow, and is showing on Setanta. I cannot wait.

Anyone know any pubs that will be showing it in Swindon? Steam Railway might be alright as that's quite near my work.

[Iffy's Onion Bhaji]

Cricket is clearly being ruined by greed. This is ridiculous seeing England players throwing a tantrum because they cannot play. They only want the money which to me signals the fact that they couldn't really care less about the game. Good on the ECB for not allowing them to play.

[lebowski]

I wonder if, say, yer man KP rejected a central contract next time around, so that he is free to go and play in the IPL... would the ECB still select him for England?

[Iffy's Onion Bhaji]

I wonder if, say, yer man KP rejected a central contract next time around, so that he is free to go and play in the IPL... would the ECB still select him for England?

I hope not. He shouldn't be allowed to play for England if he does that. Playing for your country should come above anything else.

[lebowski]

But the IPL doesn't clash with any England games...

[Cookie]

And there's the argument that playing against and with the best players in the world will improve English cricket . . . .according to ronnie irani anyway.

[reeves4england]

And there's the argument that playing against and with the best players in the world will improve English cricket . . . .according to ronnie irani anyway.

The effect on English players or the English competitions?

Whilst the players are half way across the world clubs will be looking to fill in gaps in their teams...

[Simon Pieman]

If you stacked shelves at Tesco and Sainsbury's offered you hundreds of times more salary you'd probably move. You can't blame the players I don't think. If the franchise is going to happen the players will do what's best for themselves.

[Boeta]

But the IPL doesn't clash with any England games...

What about the West Indies tour next year?

Rumour is that the ECB are going team to up with Allen Stanford (the Texan billionaire benefactor of the West Indies Twenty20 comp) to create an England-WI Premier League

I have to agree with Si, you can't blame the players for wanting to paid well - they have to live their lives. It is up to controlling bodies to provide alternative solutions in order to get the best of both worlds

[neville w]

Don't forget we're talking about Twenty20. I'm concerned about the impact on all other forms of the game.

I'm sure we'll get better at the short game by increased exposure to higher quality, but it could kill first class/test cricket in the medium term

[Iffy's Onion Bhaji]

And there's the argument that playing against and with the best players in the world will improve English cricket . . . .according to ronnie irani anyway.

Which is tosh really isn't it? How can playing glorified 20/20 cricket prepare you for a test series?