England Tour Dates Open IPL Door

England has announced its touring schedule of the West Indies next year – a calendar which opens the door for the players to compete in the lucrative Indian Premier League.

The England and Wales Cricket Board has announced that the tour will finish on 4th April, leaving a window for players to play in the tournament that starts on 10th April.
 
English representation in this year’s event was limited to just Dimitri Mascarenhas, but several players have declared their interest with the likes of Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff likely to receive huge multi-million payments in exchange for their services.
 
English cricketers wishing to compete in the IPL currently need ECB approval. This year’s inaugural IPL clashed with the start of the new County campaign as well as New Zealand’s tour of England.

However, the early finish to next year’s tour of the Caribbean means there could be an opportunity for more players to sign for Indian teams.

The chance to play in the IPL could also be seen as a good warm-up for England’s players ahead of the ICC World Twenty20 that is being staged in England next summer.

Next year’s itinerary will see England play two three-day practice matches in Barbados, before Tests in Jamaica, Antigua, Barbados and Trinidad.

There will also be a Twenty20 fixture, England’s first in the Caribbean, and a five-match one-day international series finishing with a day-night international in St Lucia.

The ECB is also currently in negotiations with Caribbean businessman Sir Allen Stanford regarding the creation of a rival series to the IPL.