The Indian Cricket League (ICL) is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that its second season beginning in October turns out to be bigger than the inaugural edition.
Kapil Dev & Co. have already added one more overseas team — the Dhaka Warriors —to their fold and efforts are on to have a tenth side with players like Andre Nel of South Africa, and Mark Ramprakash and Darren Gough from England.
According to a Zee official, the league has successfully approached the Protea paceman and the all but retired English duo, and is confident of roping them in. The ICL is trying to draft in more England cricketers to make it a squad of eleven. “It's not easy for us to name all the players right now. There are too many people working against us,” said the official.
Nel had a one-year contract with the Indian Premier League side Mumbai Indians and played three matches for them. The Mumbai Indians officials refused to comment on the issue.
More fuel to fire
The aforementioned cricketers being active county players, the move may further irk the BCCI, which already has had a strained relationship with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) over the issue of allowing the ICL-contracted players playing county cricket.
Gough plays for Yorkshire, while Ramprakash represents Surrey. Nel too has played for Essex and Northamptonshire.
Meanwhile, beleaguered Marcus Trescothick, who is eyeing a comeback to competitive cricket, is also on the ICL radar.
... contd.