There is no doubt that the ICL and the IPL are on a collision course that will take some serious navigating to avoid a severe confrontation. Enormous fiscal coffers belonging to billionaires and colossal egos belonging to the BCCI and the ICC will join the skirmish, compounding the potential wreckage. It is just a matter of time before it all comes to a head and the fallout could be monstrous.

Individuals’ livelihoods and reputations are in jeopardy and when that is thrown into the mix the stakes become emotional and escalate dramatically.

The bottom line is that it is all about choice. The international players who have chosen the ‘rebel’ ICL route fall into a couple of categories. They are predominantly players who are close to hanging up their bat or have already done so, and fancy a healthy pay cheque with which to sail into the sunset. Who can blame them? Only now are the repercussions of that decision becoming clear and for most the result is currently persona non grata.

The international IPL players have chosen a far more secure footing. They have backed the right horse, have gained approval, and face no form of censure.

We have the situation where two successful leagues are up and almost running in India and many believe that the players should be able to trade freely and decide which route they wish to take. Let’s be honest, not every international player currently involved in India would have made the selection (or auction) sheet had the IPL been the only source of income.

The various cricket boards around the world, with the support of the ICC, are now hell bent on banning individuals who represent the ICL, from first class cricket. That in itself seems simple enough at first but dig deeper and further massive problems present themselves.

I am no legal eagle but I am anticipating a ground breaking restraint of trade case in the near future and then various lawyers will be enthusiastically sharpening their knives. Work is currently going on behind the scenes and away from the public glare to substantiate the claim and it will not be long before a willing test case player files suit. Then the proverbial stuff will hit the fan.

The most relevant aspects about the banning of ICL players are only starting to surface now. Tim May, the chief executive of FICA, the International Players' Association, got it spot on during the week in an article published by Cricinfo. May made it clear that "FICA and its player associations will defend the right of players to seek employment without fear of unreasonable restraint of trade, discrimination and the collusion of a number of bodies to monopolise employment and restrict movement in the market".

He also said it remained unclear what the objection to the ICL is, "apart from it being an unwanted competitor. No governing body has yet satisfactorily explained to players' associations why ICL is such a danger to cricket. In any other walk of life, it's accepted that competitive markets are more desirable than monopolistic markets”. He also said, "I am staggered given cricket's significantly small number of professional cricketers that the creation of a further 60 or 70 professional positions is viewed as a negative for the game".

Perhaps his most pertinent comments alluded to the potential mass exodus of international players as inflated pay cheques are bandied about. Tim said, "For many, if not all, countries, the number of these players that will embrace IPL will only increase, as players are increasingly frustrated by low remuneration, lengthy absences from family and the direction and governance of our game. While all other sports are bending their backs to attract talent - cricket seems hell bent on ridding itself of its talent”.

Tim May be making some very valid points.


Recent ColumnsMike Haysman