ICL Information

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has banned former captain Marvan Atapattu along with two others from all international and domestic cricket matches for participating in the rebel Indian Cricket Leagues‘ (ICL) Twenty20 tournament.

”We had warned the players about the consequences and we’ll stick to the guidelines,” Chief Executive of Sri Lanka Cricket, Duleep Mendis said.

Russel Arnold and Upul Chandana are the other players who have been banned by the SLC.

SLC has sent letters to SSC and NCC (the clubs of the three players) stating that the players should not be considered for any national or domestic tournaments sanctioned by it.

Source:http://www.deepikaglobal.com

Radical measures could be taken to prevent their players from signing lucrative contracts with the Indian Cricket League (ICL) and turning their backs on their country, Justin Vaughan, New Zealand Cricket’s chief executive, has said. These measures include increasing the number of centrally contracted players to 25 as well as increasing the value of player retainers.

The inaugural edition of the ICL included retired players from New Zealand like Nathan Astle, Chris Cairns, Craig McMillan and Chris Harris. While New Zealand lost just two current players to the league - Daryll Tuffey and Hamish Marshall - Vaughan fears that the number could increase, with the ICL organisers announcing plans for four new tournaments next season and also increasing the number of teams from six to eight. ICL-contracted players are allowed to play domestic cricket in New Zealand but are not eligible for selection for national or A teams.

“We have a shallow player pool and we can’t afford to lose players,” Vaughan told the New Zealand’s Herald on Sunday. “But we are keeping an eye on it and maybe there are things that we can look at in the structure of our contracts.”

The Indian board has also lured New Zealand’s premier players like Stephen Fleming, Daniel Vettori, Brendon McCullum, Jacob Oram and Scott Styris, to sign up for its officially-sanctioned, cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL), set to commence in April next year. While these players have agreed to honour their country ahead of their franchise teams and that the IPL is not viewed as a threat unlike the ICL, Vaughan felt that the board will have to ensure they aren’t tempted by the financial incentives being offered by the BCCI to participate.

“The process of picking these players is the BCCI’s business and we’ve put forward our best players for consideration and they choose who they want,” Vaughan said.

Vaughan said the matter was being discussed with the New Zealand Cricket Players’ Association to work out a new structure for the contracts. Retaining elite players would, in all probability, be given more importance than increasing the pool of untried contracted players.

“We don’t know how we might structure that but we will be working very closely with the [New Zealand] Players’ Association on this one,” Vaughan said. “We are starting to talk to Heath Mills, [Players’ Association head] about what might be possible. It’s this balance - yes we’d like to lock up as many players as possible but, you can either pay fewer people more or more people basically what they’re getting now.”

Source:http://content-usa.cricinfo.com

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has banned seven cricketers, including former skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq from playing the domestic league, for taking part in the Indian Cricket League (ICL).

“Since the ICL is not recognised by the PCB and the Indian cricket board, the players who have joined the ICL despite warnings from their respective boards will not be allowed to play in the domestic circuit,” PCB spokesman said.

Besides Inzamam, the other players banned by the PCB are Abdul Razzaq, Shabbir Ahmad, Azhar Mehmood, Taufiq Umar and Imran Farhat.

“The rebel players have tried to contact the PCB through their respective departments, but the board gave them a cold shoulder,” the spokesman said.

He said despite showing good performance in the ICL, the players would not be considered even for the national camp.

“The board is following ‘zero tolerance policy’ towards such players,” the Daily Times quoted him, as saying.

Source:http://cricket.indiatimes.com

 CHANDIGARH: Looking at the youngsters, trying to make a mark in the ICL, former Test captain Ajit Wadekar was compelled to take a trip to the past when playing cricket was joy and nothing else.

Here for the Indian Cricket League as a Match Referee, along with off-spin great Erapalli Prasanna, the affable Wadekar recalled how some players just could not make it to the top despite the potential and faded away without a trace.
The forgotten ones

Vijay Bhosle, Sudhakar Adhikari, Prem Bhatia were names that came to his mind readily. “They were good and deserved to wear the National cap. But then they didn’t have the luck. Wish they had something like ICL then. Many cricketers, who were needy, would have benefited immensely,” said Wadekar.

More than financial security at the ICL, it is the platform to showcase their abilities that seems to have been the reason for many to join this venture. “What a pity the Board has decided to ban them from domestic cricket,” he added.

As Wadekar pointed out, many of today’s youngsters, unable to make it to the big league, would not be lost to the cricket world unsung and unheard. “If they have come for money, what is wrong with it? At least their future would be secure,” he stressed.
Murtaza’s case

Take the case of Ali Murtaza. Not even 18, he decided to take the plunge for the simple reason that the ICL offered him financial security for the future. “My heart goes out to such cricketers. They work so hard and then when they fail to make it, become frustrated with life. I was pained to hear about the youngsters who committed suicide because playing cricket did not offer them a good life. As long as ICL helps some youngsters to make a living, I would welcome more such ventures,” said Wadekar.

The ICL, as Wadekar emphasised, is not a rival to the BCCI. “We are making an effort to offer some cricket and some money to young cricketers. We need the seniors to guide them and what better than some of the greats of the game. I have been associated with cricket all my life and I am so happy to share my experience,” stated Wadekar. He has been a player, captain, coach and selectors at various stages of his career.
Wadekar’s appeal

Wadekar concluded by appealing for the authorities to support the ICL. “The BCCI has been in existence for 75 years now. You think we can challenge them. It is wrong to say that the ICL is a confrontation. It is a platform for many to perform and attract attention.”

News source : http://www.hindu.com/

Cricket in India had new live action to choose from as the first Twenty20 Indian championship organised by the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) got underway in Panchkula on Friday in a carnival-like atmosphere at the Tau Devi Lal sports complex cricket stadium, 15 kms from Chandigarh.

Local team Chandigarh Lions led by former New Zealander Chris Cairns took on the Delhi Jets led by former Sri Lankan skipper Marvan Atapattu in the opening match of the championship in Panchkula.

The inaugural ceremony and the match was a star-studded affair with not only the 30-odd international stars - including the likes of Brian Lara and Inzamam-ul-Haq - but also Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor leading the glamour brigade and railways minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and Essel group chairman, the promoter company of ICL, Subhash Chandra, ICL executive board chairman Kapil Dev and Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda adding to the list of VIPs present on the occasion.

While Kareena set the specially erected stage on fire with her performance on a few popular Bollywood numbers, other fireworks lit up the sky as the championship started.

A capacity crowd of nearly 7,000 filled up the newly erected stands on the occasion and cheered almost everything.

An excited Kapil could not hide his happiness as the event started.

“I am happy and excited the way our hard work has borne fruit. We have come this far because we believe in what we have set out for - to change the face of domestic cricket in India,” Kapil said.

ICL has announced the highest ever prize money for any domestic championship - a total of $ 4 million - with the winner of the six team event alone pocketing $ 1 million (Rs 39 million).

article source : http://www.hindustantimes.com/

Aao dekhen khel ka naya andaaz’ (Come, lets see sports in its new form) is Indian Cricket league’s slogan to promote its 17-day extravaganza in Panchkula.Using the catchy slogan, they have begun selling tickets, which have been brisk enough. Given the limited capacity of the stadium here - just over 6,000 - ICL organisers will probably not need to worry about filling the stadium.

What made you join the ICL ?
It was a big challenge and an opportunity for me. I have never played enough T20 cricket. So, I just thought of challenging myself and my cricketing abilities. I want to continue playing cricket for another 2-3 years and maximize my talent. I also thought that the ICL would be an ideal opportunity to give back to the game.

What are your views on the various cricket boards’ stand on the ICL ?
I don’t think ICL should be blocked. It’s provides a great opportunity to cricketers, young and old to improve on their abilities. If we call cricket a career, one should not be denied a chance to earn. Imposing sanctions on the ICL would be unfortunate, as you tend to stop income/revenue, exposure and the experience of playing with the top cricketers.

What made you retire all of a sudden ?
It was not a sudden decision I made. I always had a fair idea of when I should retire. I did not want to hang around in a system I didn’t believe in and also, give opportunities to newer talent in Sri Lanka. And, half-way through my innings at Hobart, I knew that it was coming.

Did you retire out of frustration?
No. If I was frustrated, I would have left half-way through the World Cup.

What are your post-retirement plans ?
As I said, I want to continue playing cricket for the next 2-3 years, wherever it be. I will finish this tournament and then leave for Australia to play club cricket and also in the English summer, where I am scheduled to turn out for Lashings XI. Apart from that, I am in initial talks with Channel Nine over a commentary stint during the Triangular ODI Series in Feb 2008. I want to be involved with cricket for as long as I could.

MUMBAI, India (CMC):

FORMER WEST Indies captain and batting superstar Brian Lara touched down on Sunday and his first stroke was to make a clarion call for recognition of the controversial Indian Cricket League (ICL).

Lara ended much speculation when he arrived in India as the most high-profile recruit of the ICL which has failed to receive official sanction from the Indian board which has threatened players with lengthy bans.

“The reaction from the established cricket bodies was along the expected lines but I was still disappointed,” he said.

“The problems faced by the ICL are similar to those faced by Sir Allen Stanford when he came up with his idea in the West Indies which has now been accepted by the West Indies board.

“The intentions are quite honourable and I hope down the line people (official cricket bodies) will understand what this league is about and accept it,” he said. Lara, Test cricket’s highest runscorer and holder of records for the highest Test and first-class innings, is looking forward to the start of the ICL in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh on Friday.

Committed to the ICL

“I could not come earlier because of some personal things which needed to be sorted out, but I have always been committed to play in the ICL after signing up in June,” Lara said at a news conference staged at the Western Railway stadium.

“I am looking forward to playing in the league with the Mumbai Champs team (which he will be leading). I would love to play alongside the young players from India who may not have had the opportunity to play with me and other international players.

“Twenty20 is a very exciting game and is fun. It has given the authorities a chance to take the game to places not familiar with cricket.”

Lara will join England’s Chris Read, Paul Nixon, Darren Maddy and Vikram Solanki, Pakistan’s Inzamam-ul Haq, Sri Lanka’s Maravan Atapattu and New Zealand’s Chris Cairns in playing in the six-team rebel league.

The league is fronted by India legend Kapil Dev and bankrolled by Zee Telefilms media organisation, but the International Cricket Council, cricket’s world governing body, has also refused to acknowledge the competition.