Cook unsure on IPL future

England batsman Alastair Cook is doubtful that a gap can be found in the hectic international schedule for everyone in world cricket to play in an Indian Premier League tournament each year.

This is especially relevant to England, who play in their summer and then go abroad over the winter, so unlike the other Test-playing nations they have less breaks than most countries simply due to their location.

The ICC has talked about establishing a period every year to allow all the top players to take advantage of the huge riches on offer from Indian television companies.

Cook, who is currently involved in the one-day series against New Zealand, said: “We know there isn’t going to be a window for us due to the amount of cricket England play.

“If they made a window for the IPL then people a lot higher up than me would make that decision although I’m not sure they’d want a little blocker from Essex to go and play Twenty20 cricket.

“We get looked after well and when I was 10 years old I didn’t dream about playing in an Indian Twenty20 league - I dreamed about playing for England and I’m very happy with what I’m doing at the moment.”

England coach Peter Moores conceded that under the present schedule it would be difficult for his players to fit in playing in the IPL around their international schedule.

“At the moment our players are very focused on playing for England and they realise our schedule is very full,” he said.

“We’re here until March 28 and then start again on May 15 with a full summer programme to come before the ICC trophy.

"You’re hoping every player is thinking the same way about playing for England and that it was a dream of theirs when they were kids - they’ve worked very hard to get the opportunity and they are very proud to pull on their country’s sweater and represent the nation.

“I think the rewards that they are getting for doing that now are such that it is financially a good incentive as well. The balance of the two makes it a very good incentive for people to want to work hard and stay within that England team.”

ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed has been encouraged by reassurances from the Board of Control for Cricket in India that international fixtures will always take precedence.

Speed said: "The members were pleased to receive very clear and unconditional commitment from the BCCI that international matches would be give absolute priority over IPL commitments.

"There has been plenty of speculation about the impact that IPL will have on the world game.

"The other ICC members are supportive of the BCCI and will carefully evaluate the first year of the IPL and its wider impact on the game in other parts of the world."