Players may opt for IPL over country in future, warns Vettori

Christchurch, July 26 (PTI) New Zealand players might put
Indian Premier League (IPL) ahead of their national contract
in future if their international commitment coincides with the
cash-awash Twenty20 league, warned Kiwi captain Daniel
Vettori.

A day after Vettori and five of his teammates -- Brendon
McCullum, Jacob Oram, Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder and Kyle Mills
-- signed New Zealand Cricket contracts to make themselves
available for the home series against Australia next March,
the left-arm spinner said they might opt for IPL if forced to
make a choice between national duty and the Twenty20 league.

"It's a difficult decision and people have families and
other issues to work through but our priority was to play for
New Zealand," Vettori was quoted as saying by 'Herald on
Sunday'.

"We want to make the most of that and have a successful
team. But we realise if these situations continue to come up
it will be difficult for players to continue to turn down the
money, so we implore the powers that be to (find a solution)
so we don't have to make these decisions every year," he said.

Vettori said had it been a team like Bangladesh, and not
Australia, some of the players might have opted for IPL.

"If Bangladesh were here (rather than Australia) it might
have been an easier decision for players. It didn't come into
my thinking because my priority is to play for New Zealand,"
said Vettori who represents Delhi Daredevils in the IPL.

Kyle Mills, who dons Chennai Super Kings jersey in IPL,
said Vettori may have his eyes on the series against Australia
but some other players were torn between the two before
eventually opting for national duty.

"Dan might not have lost any sleep over (his decision)
but I certainly know a number of other guys have," Mills said.

"Some of them have agonised for weeks. There's no doubt
the guys were acutely aware they they were never going to win
a popularity contest if they disappeared to the IPL in favour
of playing Australia.

"It's a good outcome for New Zealand cricket but we

couldn't say that if the players had to make the same decision
next year or the year after we would get the same outcome. In
fact, it wouldn't surprise me if we didn't," he said.
With their home series against Australia reduced from

three to two Tests, all the Kiwi players are expecting to
feature in next year's IPL at some point of time.
Mills said unless a window is created for IPL, countries

like New Zealand would continue to suffer.
"International cricket will be marginalised because

players will start to make decisions that they want to play in
IPL. If we don't create a window for it, the smaller nations
will be marginalised. That's not right answer for cricket.

"An Australian might earn near USD 2 million (from their
national contract) and that might outweigh their IPL contract
but as IPL grows remuneration from that will also increase and
it will become an issue for the players," Mills said. PTI AY
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