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Ben Stokes has reportedly shown his interest in exploring the global franchise cricket leagues. According to a Daily Guardian report published on September 26, the former England national cricket team skipper is keen on confirming contracts in the upcoming season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and Major League Cricket (MLC), after securing a contract in the Big Bash League (BBL).
In the upcoming season of BBL, Stokes will take the field with the Adelaide Strikers. But there is an obstacle between Ben Stokes' will to explore the franchise market and confirming some of the deals across the globe. Despite retiring from the national side, he will have to collect the No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
ECB revised its regulations for the NOC in 2024
To keep most of the talent within the English cricket ecosystem, ECB has its own rule on proving English talent's NOCs. The rule is valid for all of the English cricketers, whether they are under central registrations of not. Ben Stokes, who retired from the national cricket team in June this year, will have to seek permission from the ECB if he wants to play in PSL and MLC.
According to the ECB's revised rule published in November 2024, the cricket board has the power to control all of its cricketers' No Objection Certificates. Whether a cricketer is under the board's central contract or a non-England-contracted domestic-registered player, the cricket board has the authority to say 'No' if it wants to keep them within the domestic cricket leagues.
Retired players also come under the revised NOC regulations
The rule was mainly set to groom young cricketers through the domestic cricket tournaments. The young cricketers often have the tendency to ignore domestic matches to confirm a lucrative T20 franchise league deal. But there are some instances where the England cricket board denied NOCs to some of its retired cricketers as well.
Jason Roy and Alex Hales announced their retirement from domestic cricket to pursue careers as T20 cricketers in franchise leagues. ECB denied NOCs to Roy and Hales as they were important cricketers to their respective county clubs at crucial phases. Moeen Ali also announced his retirement from domestic cricket last year before returning for a short spell with Yorkshire this summer in the T20 Blast.
Why could there be a Ben Stokes vs ECB situation?
Ben Stokes will have the same situation next summer, similar to the situations of Alex Hales and Jason Roy. Durham recently secured their promotion from the second division county championship, and they will compete in the top tier for the tournament in next year's contest.
Stokes played a crucial role behind the team's successful season in the second division. To keep the progression in the top flight division, Durham will need contributions from Stokes. Then, if Ben Stokes wishes to leave Durham partially or for the entire season to play in any franchise league, whether it is PSL or MLC, the ECB could have a direct clash with the former England team cricketer.
