England’s James Vince has raised concerns about the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) no-objection certificate (NOC) policy, criticizing its restrictions on participation in overseas leagues like the Pakistan Super League (PSL) during the English domestic season, while granting exemptions for the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Vince pointed out the “double standards” in the ECB’s approach, particularly regarding the PSL, which is a shorter competition, meaning players miss less domestic cricket compared to the IPL. Vince speculated that the disparity might stem from the relationships between the ECB, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Vince also explained that financial incentives played a role in his decision to step down from red-ball cricket and focus on white-ball formats to participate in the PSL. He emphasized that the financial gap between domestic contracts and franchise leagues is growing, leading more players to prioritize franchise cricket.
His decision to focus on the PSL reflects a wider trend where players are increasingly leaning towards lucrative franchise leagues rather than traditional formats. The ECB’s policy continues to draw criticism, especially the unique exemption granted to the IPL.
