The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced new restrictions preventing players from participating in overseas franchise leagues that clash with the domestic summer season.
The policy, ratified by the ECB board on Wednesday, applies to tournaments such as the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Sri Lanka’s Premier League, and others scheduled during the English summer months, according to The Telegraph report.
This decision could impact the earning potential of English players, particularly those who have relied on income from franchise leagues. However, the ECB has emphasised that the move is designed to safeguard the quality and integrity of domestic competitions, such as the County Championship, Vitality Blast, and the Hundred.
The policy will also ensure that players are not able to “double-dip” by switching between overlapping tournaments after being eliminated from one.
Under the new guidelines, players with white-ball-only contracts, like Saqib Mahmood, will still be permitted to play in leagues like the PSL, which takes place in April and overlaps with England’s domestic summer.
However, those with contracts that include first-class cricket will not be allowed to miss any domestic white-ball games to compete in overseas tournaments.
The ECB’s new stance comes in response to the growing number of short-format franchise leagues, with over 20 major competitions scheduled worldwide in 2024. While the Indian Premier League (IPL), which runs during the early part of the English summer, remains an exception, the ECB has stated that it will be more selective in granting No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for players participating in overlapping events.
Richard Gould, ECB chief executive, explained the policy’s rationale: “This policy gives clarity to players and professional counties around our approach to issuing No Objection Certificates. It will enable us to strike the right balance between supporting players who want to take up opportunities to earn and gain experience, while also protecting the integrity of cricket globally.
In 2023, 74 England-qualified players appeared in franchise tournaments worldwide, marking a record for any nation. The new regulations are expected to reduce the number of English players competing in overseas leagues during the summer months, aiming to preserve the strength of domestic cricket in England.
