Bond might have joined ICL - report

Tim May, the chief executive of the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations, says the rights of cricketers must be weighed against the importance of retaining strong Test teams as speculation mounts that Shane Bond might join the Indian Cricket League (ICL). New Zealand Cricket is already encouraging its selectors not to choose players who have already taken part in the league and now a report in the Australian suggests Bond has agreed to play in the ICL in 2008.

"With New Zealand and these other poorly paid countries, it's incredibly enticing at the end of their career, or even in the middle of their career, to look after themselves," May told the paper. "It's their job and they're trying to do the best for their families.

"You may well see more ICL contracted players signed up. So what are we going to do, have a New Zealand second XI out there? Is it in New Zealand's national interest to put out a half-baked team?

"Is it in world cricket's interest? These are the questions people really need to sit down and think about. And there is also the rights of the players to ply their trade. We want to encourage people to play cricket professionally, don't we? It's not necessarily a bad thing, this ICL."

New Zealand Cricket has told its selectors that when they choose national and representative squads they should consider other players ahead of those who have taken part in the ICL. Daryl Tuffey was the only one of the six affected players who was realistically in the frame for further Test and ODI action.

However, if Bond joined the ICL it would provide a major crisis for cricket in New Zealand. The Australian reported that if NZC tried to stop Bond, or any other player, signing up with the ICL it could face legal action for restraint of trade.