ECB chief warns players, featuring IPL will hurt their career

London, Apr 8 (UNI) English Cricket Board chief Giles Clarke has warned their players that featuring in the Indian Premier Leauge (IPL) will hurt their International Career and also jeopardise the hopes of regaining the Ashes.

English players will not feature in the IPL later this month as it clashes with the Test series against New Zealand, and Clarke does not expect coach Peter Moores to release players for the 2009 tournament when there is a gap in the calendar.

''I couldn't see anyone centrally contracted playing,'' said Clarke.

''I can't see Peter Moores determining that he wishes to release him. The risks are very significant. We're about to play Australia. If Peter released a player and he got injured, what would the reaction be?'' he said.

''Spectators want to know that our players are as fit and sharp and ready for the Ashes series as we can ensure they are,'' he added.

Right handed batsman Kevin Pietersen recently indicated that England players would want to play in the IPL, which is played in the Twenty20 format, and urged the sport's authorities to make space in the international schedule.

However, Clarke was not willing to allow their players to play in the cash rich T-20 event and he asserted that they can lose their place in the team.

''It would free him up in that sense,'' said Clarke. ''It's a risk he would take. KP runs the risk, as anyone does, of losing his place or end up getting injured.

''Employment contracts are a matter between the employer and the employee, they are not compulsory. If you don't want to be employed by somebody you don't have to.

''Then you run the risks of not being employed by that person. That is a risk you may choose to run. Cricket careers can come to an end as well as begin,'' he said.

Clarke met the England squad just after their Test series win in New Zealand and revealed that none of them approached him about playing in India.

UNI XC RKM CS VC1925