English players use PR to lobby to play for IPL

As the IPL frenzy takes charge in India, everyone it seems wants a piece of the action. According to reports, the Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA), the body that represents professional cricketers in England and Wales are enlisting the help of public relations to allow English players to take part in the Indian Premier League. Currently the England and Wales cricket board (ECB) does not allow some of England’s best players to compete in the Twenty20 format game, as they are on central contracts.

Apr 22, 2008 07:00:00 AM | Article | Campaign India Team

As the IPL frenzy takes charge in India, everyone it seems wants a piece of the action. According to reports, the Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA), the body that represents professional cricketers in England and Wales are enlisting the help of public relations to allow English players to take part in the Indian Premier League. Currently the England and Wales cricket board (ECB) does not allow some of England’s best players to compete in the Twenty20 format game, as they are on central contracts. In a first, PCA is enlisting the help of public relations firm Quintus Public Affairs, to help garner support for English players to be allowed to participate in the IPL. PCA has voiced concerns over the issue of English players not being allowed to take part in the Twenty20 series, saying that this may create a situation where players will be forced to choose between playing for the national team and the IPL. With The IPL being a far more lucrative option, PCA is worried that the England team may lose out to the Twenty20 series. Giles Clarke, Chairman, ECB, has gone on record to say that the board was not interested in allowing English players to be a part of the IPL.