The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is set to impose restrictions on English players playing in leagues around the world. According to reports in the Telegraph, the governing body is understood to fear players will abandon the domestic season for franchises.

The Pakistan Super League is set to clash with England’s domestic season next year. The England and Wales Cricket Board is looking at ways to protect the national game. Reports claim that they are thinking of not allowing players in foreign leagues, leaving out the Indian Premier League.

It is learned that the ECB will allow players to play only in the IPL. However, players contracted by county teams will have to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) approved by both their county and the board to appear in overseas cricket during the English summer, where the domestic circuit operates at full performance.

Reports added that Counties are of the view that players view English domestic games as a “backup” option. They feel that players use their club’s training and medical facilities year-round, but miss domestic matches to play in other leagues.

With most players preferring foreign leagues to the domestic circuit, the England and Wales Cricket Board plans to be strict. They are considering adopting a policy that prevents players from playing any other cricket during the domestic season. Previously, countries used to decide whether to grant NOCs to players and the ECB did not play much of a role.

The Pakistan Super League is scheduled to be held from April 7 to May 20 next season, a window in which the English domestic season will be played. There is a chance the league will be played in this window every year and the ECB fears it will have a major impact on its domestic season.

Last year, 16 English players played in the PSL, and this year, Major League Cricket, Global T20 Canada, Caribbean Premier League and Zim Afro TIO crashed into the English summer.

ECB likely to release broad policy next week

One of the leading player agents spoke about the situation and said that the fact that franchise cricket is played during the English summer could encourage more English players to become white-ball specialists. He told the Telegraph:

“If the PSL remains in the new window it will push them further into the white ball. The ECB faces an uphill battle to protect the county championship in the current climate.”

Furthermore, along with the PSL, the IPL will also be played at the same time and the ECB fears that 30 England players could feature in any of these competitions. Therefore, not giving NOCs would encourage players to continue playing in England during the domestic summer.

Reports added that the governing body is likely to publish a game-wide policy next week, allowing them to take calls from NOCs. Several county cricket directors have urged the governing body to do the same.