IPL's big money makes cricket boards jittery

New Delhi: The Indian Premier League (IPL) with its multi-crore budget has put cricket boards in a spot as the lure of the league's big money could mean a change in the domestic calendar

England batsman Kevin Pietersen had said recently he wasn't even thinking about the IPL but with big money flowing in, he has changed his mind.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has refused though to change its schedule for the IPL and the players association in England fears there may even be a revolt.

Pietersen knows an IPL franchise would be ready to have him onboard but since the IPL clashes with the English County season; Pietersen can't play and he vented his frustration to an English newspaper.

"It's definitely something that the hierarchy needs to fix into our fixtures. You want your best players playing both for their country and for the IPL. You don't want them choosing between the two. It's silly to think that you're losing up to a million dollars over six weeks," Pietersen was quoted as saying.

A rattled ECB has stepped in already to nip the controversy in the bud.

ECB Chairman Giles Clarke said, "There won't be any centrally contracted players playing in it. There won't be any centrally contracted players playing in it. I can't see any England player wishing to take the risk of losing his England place."

Clearly, the money on offer is a seducing player worldwide.

New Zealand's IPL players have convinced their home board to allow them to miss the first part of their England tour so they can play.

Reports suggest the West Indies players would rather play in the league than the Test series against Australia.

And South Africa's players have now been excused from flying home to play in a domestic tournament after their tour of India so they can play in the league.

"We thank the South Africa board for allowing them. We will work in the future with them," IPL board chairman Lalit Modi said.

The ICC knows the situation can explode in their faces.

"The IPL is something that is exciting and can be used to enhance and grow the game around the globe. Cricket is unique in that we have three formats now, and that can be used to attract new fans. If we need to revisit the Future Tours Programme, we will do that,” incoming ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat said.

Whatever happens; it is clear that even before a ball has been bowled; the IPL has shaken the very foundation of world cricket.