England committed to West Indies tour

Giles Clarke, the ECB chairman, sounded a note of caution about England players' involvement in the IPL in 2009, citing the fear of burnout as the principle reason to deter them from joining the new competition.

A group of ICC executives have gathered in Kuala Lumpur over the past week - the venue for the Under-19 World Cup - and top of India's wish is to persuade the ICC to clear March and April of international engagements to accommodate the IPL. Australia have said they will consider this, but England are committed to touring West Indies.

"I don't believe England players will be involved next year," Clarke told the Guardian. "Several have already complained about burnout caused by too much cricket. Our players are contracted and we are committed to touring the West Indies at that time."

England's centrally contracted players earn an average of £250,000, but some Australian players have been offered £150,000 for their involvement in the IPL for just six weeks work.