26 Jul 2009

Vettori says players may opt to play in IPL rather than Black Caps in future

6:12 pm on 26 July 2009

New Zealand cricketers may opt to play in the Indian Premier League rather than for their country if the Twenty20 competition continues to clash with international commitments says skipper Dan Vettori.

Vettori was one of six senior players who delayed signing their central contracts until Friday after scheduling conflicts between the IPL and New Zealand's international programme next season had been clarified.

Vettori told the Herald on Sunday newspapaer it's a difficult decision for players to make as they have family and other issues to work through.

He says if these situations continue to arise it will be difficult for players to turn down the money and has called on the sport's international governing body the ICC to find a solution so players aren't forced in deciding between money and country.

Vettori and several other players arrived late for New Zealand's tour of England in 2008 so they could play matches in the inaugural IPL.

Australia's tour here next year has been cut from three tests to two to reduce the overlap between the international season and the IPL.