BCCI directs players to avoid counties with ICL connections

New Delhi, Jul 18 (UNI) In a move to wipe out the threat posed by its rival league, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has barred its contract players from joining English county teams that have players taking part in the unofficial Indian Cricket League (ICL).

While leg-spinner Piyush Chawla was to sign up with Hampshire, Test batsman VVS Laxman was set to join Nottinghamshire after a three-test series against Sri Lanka.

The BCCI has directed its players to avoid teams with links to the Indian Cricket League (ICL).

Nottinghamshire and Hampshire have players taking part in the 'rebel' league.

Confirmed the stand taken by the BCCI, Board secretary Niranjan Shah today said, ''The BCCI has advised its players to stay away from counties that have ICL players.'' ''We are not saying that no player can play county cricket in the future. The England and Wales Cricket Board is coming out with a policy regarding ICL within a year. So, we will see how it goes,'' Shah added.

The BCCI has been against the ICL and does not recognise it which is being run by the owners of one of India's largest listed media firms.

Last month, the Indian Board denied players from English counties to take part in its multi-million dollar Indian Premier League (IPL) if they have players from the 'rebel' ICL.

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