Bosman switches side: from ICL to IPL

Johannesburg, Oct 31 (UNI) Indian Cricket League (ICL) suffered yet another jolt with hard-hitting Proteas opener Loots Bosman doing a Mohammad Yousuf by switching sides to BCCI-backed Indian Premier League.

Bosman has pulled out of the contract with ICL to make himself available for domestic cricket besides committing himself to IPL, according to the Afrikaans newspaper 'Die Volksblad'.

Pakistan run-machine Yousuf had earlier withdrawn from his contract with ICL to align with IPL.

Bosman had a serious discussion with the coach of his provincial team, Corrie van Zyl, before taking the decision to withdraw his contract with the ICL.

''It was a tough decision. It's difficult having a contract in front of you. It makes it tough to say no,'' Bosman told the newspaper.

''I could have delayed my decision and dragged out the process. At the end of the day it's still my decision.

I also decided what was in the best interests of my wife Mandisa and our four-year-old daughter, Khanyi,'' he added.

Bosman made his Twenty20 and ODI debut for the Proteas last season and has already played in 12 ODIs and three Twenty20 matches.

He will join captain Graeme Smith and fast bowler Shaun Pollock in the IPL.

UNI