English counties seek compensation to release players for IPL

London, Dec 11 (PTI) Lucrative offers from cash-rich
Indian Premier League franchises may not swell the coffers of
England captain Kevin Pietersen and all-rounder Andrew
Flintoff as the players would have to pay from their pockets
to their respective counties, who are demanding compensation
to make up for their absence.

Though IPL doesn't have any provision to pay compensation
by a franchise for buying a player, Hampshire and Lancashire
have made it clear that the players or the franchise will have
to pay them.

"Some people think that because a player has a central
contract the county doesn't have anything to do with him any
more. The England management might like to think that is the
case. But it's not," said Rod Bransgrove, Chairman of
Hampshire, for which Pietersen plays.

"England are entitled to play Kevin and they are entitled
to rest him. But they can't permit him to play for another
team in the course of the domestic cricket season. Any
centrally contracted player must have permission from his
county if he intends to play in the IPL. And in Kevin's case
that's Hampshire," he was quoted as saying by 'The Guardian'.

"I'm prepared to negotiate but if any (IPL) team wants
Kevin to play for them in the course of the county season the
franchise concerned would have to reach an agreement with us,"
he added.

Pietersen has an offer of USD 1.7 million on the table
and looks certain to play in the second season of IPL.

Lancashire's Chief Executive Jim Cumbes said, "The last
thing we want to do is stop Freddie making money in the IPL.
Good luck to him. But we will be seeking compensation if he
does play. The county season will be underway by then.

"No figure has been mentioned. It might be 10 per cent of
his contract. And we would prefer it to come from the
franchise, rather than the player's pocket."

Meanwhile, Professional Cricketers' Association Chief
Executive Sean Morris said a plan in which a franchise and a
player sharing the amount of compensation might be worked out.

"IPL discussions have been placed on hold recently
because of the situation in India. But we have been
negotiating about this. And it could be that the money that is
paid to the counties could come from both (the player and the
franchise)."