ECB to ban domestic stars from overseas leagues to prevent talent exodus

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is all set to apply restrictions on the English players on playing in leagues around the world. As per the reports in the Telegraph, it is learned that the governing body is fearing that players might leave domestic season for the franchises.

Pakistan Super League is all set to clash with the England domestic season next year. The England and Wales Cricket Board is finding ways on how to protect the domestic game. The reports claimed that they are thinking of not allowing players in overseas leagues, leaving aside the Indian Premier League.

It is learned that the ECB will be allowing players to play only in the IPL. However, players who are contracted with the county teams will have to get a No Objection Certificate (NOC) approved by both their county and the board to appear in overseas cricket during the English summer, where the domestic circuit runs in full flow.

The reports added that counties are of the opinion that players are seeing English domestic games as a "fall-back" option. They feel that players use their club's training and medical facilities throughout the year but miss the domestic games to play in other leagues.

With the majority of the players preferring overseas leagues over the domestic circuit, the England and Wales Cricket Board is planning to be strict. They are considering adopting a policy of barring players from playing any other cricket during the domestic season. Earlier, countries used to decide on giving NOCs to players and the ECB didn't play much of a role.

Pakistan Super League is slated to take place from April 7 to May 20 next season, a window in which the English domestic season will be played. There are chances the league will be played in this window every year and the ECB fears that it will have a major impact on their domestic season.

Last year, 16 English players played in PSL, and this year, Major League Cricket, the Global T20 Canada, the Caribbean Premier League, and the Zim Afro TIO have all clashed with the English summer.

ECB likely to release a game-wide policy next week

One of the leading player agents talked about the situation, saying that with franchise cricket being played during the English summer, it could encourage more English players to become white-ball specialists. He told the Telegraph:

"If the PSL stays in the new window it's going to drive them even more to white-ball. ECB faces an uphill battle to protect the County Championship in the current climate."

Also, alongside PSL, IPL will be played at the same time as well and ECB fears that 30 England players could appear in either of these competitions. Therefore not giving the NOCs would encourage players to continue to play in England during the domestic summer.

The reports added that the governing body is likely to release a game-wide policy next week, which will see them taking calls on NOCs. A number of county directors of cricket have urged the governing body about the same.