PCA steps in to help players over ICL

	Mushtaq Ahmed is caught in the ICL web and his season with Sussex is in doubt © Getty Images

The Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) is stepping in to help make sense of the conflict that has developed between the ECB and the Indian Cricket League (ICL). A number of county players are effected by the ECB's recent tough stance against 'unofficial events' and face the prospect of bans if they return to the ICL.

Chris Read, Paul Nixon, Darren Maddy and Vikram Solanki all played in the first ICL tournament last year and, although that won't impact on their domestic future, they have been warned that if they return a one-year ban will be imposed. Overseas players are also caught in the middle with Shane Bond, Jason Gillespie, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Mushtaq Ahmed unlikely to gain the No Obligation Certificates they require from their home boards.

"The ECB have recently announced profound regulatory and policy changes with regard to players' participation in unauthorised cricket," said a PCA statement. "Several cricketers, including a number who are currently playing in ICL and have connections to English counties, have expressed serious reservations about the changes themselves, the rationale for them and the ultimate consequences for players and have asked for the PCA's help and advice."

The ECB have been keen to ward off the threat of the ICL while getting on board with the Indian Premier League (IPL). Although no England players will be involved in the first IPL tournament which starts next month, that is set to change in the future even though it could impact the domestic season.

"The PCA is about to begin pre-season meetings with every county squad and will be able to comment further in early April after it has discussed all of these complex issues with its members in detail," they added.

"In the best interests of its members and the game in England and Wales, the PCA will work with the individual players, the ECB and the counties to try to resolve the many outstanding individual player issues created by the ECB's recent decisions and regulatory changes.

"Around 20 players due to participate in county cricket this coming season are directly affected, and the longer-term consequences for all players are not yet fully understood. The PCA are optimistic that honest and open dialogue with all stakeholders will ensure the best outcome for the sport."