Butcher questions ECB’s NOC policy: Why is IPL more special?

Former England cricketer Mark Butcher criticised the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for prioritising the IPL in its No Objection Certificate (NOC) policy. Except for the IPL, red-ball players cannot play in franchise leagues during the English domestic season, which has angered players and cricket analysts.

Hampshire captain James Vince chose a white-ball-only deal for the 2025 Pakistan Super League season to continue playing. Vince, Hampshire’s longest-serving Championship captain and key to their recent title campaigns, has left his red-ball duties to pursue lucrative overseas prospects.

The ECB now allows white-ball-only contracted players to compete in franchise competitions without scheduling conflicts with The Hundred. 12 English players will play in the IPL, which is exempt. The Wisden Cricket Weekly podcast included Butcher criticising the IPL exemption.

Their claim that the IPL doesn’t count is my biggest issue. I suppose that’s the issue. Well, why? Why does the IPL stand out? We can’t say it’s a better developing ground for players than other competitions “said Butcher.

“The PSL is a high quality, so why wouldn’t that one get an exemption when players are having to decide whether to play red-ball cricket to play in it? He continued, “That affects the entire program. The 52-year-old also questioned the policy’s impartiality, saying it created a league hierarchy.

“The point is that it was handled poorly. If you have one exception, the big players can do what they want. They’ll likely be England-contracted players who won’t play in the County Championship. However, for the ECB, highlighting one competition at the detriment of all others is difficult to justify “said.

Butcher questions ECB's NOC policy: Why is IPL more special?

Why is IPL more special?

Despite agreeing with the ECB, he endorsed the Players’ Association’s criticism of the policy’s lack of consultation.

“Players have never had more opportunity to earn more money on top of county contracts,” he said.

Many would hear this and remark, ‘Well, boo hoo, you have to make a decision someplace.’ But I think the County Championship is losing one of its top players, namely James Vince.

“He’s chosen PSL money over Championship play for Hampshire. Hampshire’s County Championship hopes will be challenging without him because to their relative batting strength. I think the issue should have been addressed better in this tough situation “said.

James Vince stressed his family and career in a statement.

I adore Hampshire. I’ve played for Hampshire for 16 years, so I want to keep doing well in T20 cricket and help us win the T20 Blast. “I must also consider my family’s needs and my career stage,” he stated.

Somerset batter Tom Kohler-Cadmore, newly draughted into the PSL, has yet to determine if he would accept a white-ball-only deal, signalling further ECB policy fallout.

Gulfishaa Avaan
Gulfishaa Avaan
Gulfishaa is writer who delivers engaging and informative news on sports to readers of Ten Sports TV Website.

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