Rest periods for contracted England players

In preparation for the forthcoming Winter Tours 2000/01, and in keeping with the key principle of England management control over the activities of centrally contracted England players, the England Head Coach has decided that England players who are awarded both Test and One Day International contracts for the upcoming winter tours will be rested between September 5th (the day after the last scheduled day of the Final Cornhill Test Match against West Indies) and September 26th (the date of the England One Day squad's departure for Kenya and Pakistan).

This will enable these players to spend time with their families and friends after the demands of the summer season, whom they will not otherwise see until shortly before Christmas. It means that this group of players will not be available to play for their counties in the final part of the season. Other arrangements in relation to contracted players are as follows:

Under the agreed terms of 'Central Contracts', the England Head Coach has the total authority to decide when players would benefit from a period of rest and, if necessary, to withdraw them from playing for their counties.

For further information please contact: Corporate Affairs Department, ECB on 0207-432-1200