The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has introduced new restrictions limiting players from participating in overseas franchise leagues that overlap with England’s domestic summer season.
Approved by the ECB board on Wednesday, the policy applies to tournaments like the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Sri Lanka’s Premier League, and others scheduled during the English summer, according to sources.
This move is expected to affect the earning opportunities of English players who rely on income from overseas leagues. However, the ECB stated that the decision is intended to protect the quality and integrity of domestic competitions such as the County Championship, Vitality Blast, and the Hundred.
The new policy also aims to prevent players from “double-dipping” by switching between competing tournaments after being eliminated from one.
Under the new rules, players with white-ball-only contracts, such as Saqib Mahmood, will still be allowed to participate in leagues like the PSL, which takes place in April and overlaps with England’s domestic summer. However, players with contracts that include first-class cricket will not be permitted to miss domestic white-ball games to play in overseas events.
The ECB’s decision responds to the rising number of short-format franchise leagues worldwide, with over 20 major competitions scheduled in 2024. While the Indian Premier League (IPL), which runs early in the English summer, remains an exception, the ECB has signaled that it will be more selective when granting No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for overlapping events.
Richard Gould, ECB Chief Executive, explained the policy: “This gives clarity to players and counties on how we issue No Objection Certificates, balancing support for players looking to earn and gain experience while also protecting the integrity of cricket globally.”
In 2023, 74 England-qualified players participated in franchise tournaments worldwide, a record for any nation. The new regulations are expected to reduce the number of English players in overseas leagues during the summer, helping to preserve the strength of domestic cricket in England.
