Richardson: New agreement offers more flexibility

Dave Richardson: 'The formal and informal discussions that we have had with players and their representatives indicate widespread support for these developments' © Getty Images

Dave Richardson, the ICC general manager cricket, has explained that the Members' Participation Agreement (MPA) from 2007 to 2015 will provide greater flexibility for players taking part in ICC events.

While almost all the other ICC members are ready to sign the MPA, the Indian board announced last week that it would not do so it in its present form because it affected its commercial interests.

The MPA is a document which lays down guidelines and restrictions that the players must follow for ICC events, including those that deal with ambush marketing. "The new MPA will be more flexible for players than previous agreements regulating participation in ICC events," Richardson said. "In drafting the player terms that fall within the MPA we have taken on board the views of players, including views expressed from India, to build a framework of agreements that will provide added benefits to players.

"Players will be faced with fewer restrictions regarding their own endorsement deals and will have greater control over the use of their own player attributes before, during and after ICC events," he continued. "The formal and informal discussions that we have had with players and their representatives indicate widespread support for these developments. The new system will have the added benefit of incorporating clearer guidelines and opportunities for all.

"While the ICC is required to deal directly with the Indian board on player issues, I've always enjoyed a good relationship with the Indian captain Rahul Dravid and several of their leading players and, should the BCCI permit, I'd welcome an opportunity to answer any queries they may have."

However, the India board has taken a firm stand. "I think we made it very clear that we will not be able to sign the document in its current form," N Srinivasan, the BCCI treasurer, told Hindustan Times. "We differ on basic issues and are clear that certain basic minimum changes are required. We will inform the ICC of this by Monday, the deadline they have set us."

Percy Sonn, the ICC president, had said that if India failed to sign the MPA then it was possible that it could not continue as one of the joint hosts of the 2011 World Cup. However, he added that he hoped that an agreement would be reached and common sense would prevail.