Gilchrist needs CA nod for IPL stint

The only hurdle for Gilchrist could be to get a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Cricket Australia. Under the Player’s Obligation section, 1.1 (b) of the IPL contract, cricketers will not be able to play in the IPL without the express permission (read: NOC) of their respective boards.

There is a provision in the NOC which empowers a cricket board to enforce a two-year cooling-off period in case they feel that the player in question was truncating his international career to join the cash-rich IPL venture.

However, Gilchrist—36 years of age—has sought retirement at a time when word was out that he wasn’t fitting into CA’s scheme of things and thus getting the NOC will not be a problem.

IPL commissioner Lalit Modi told The Indian Express that Gilchrist could certainly join the IPL if Cricket Australia (CA) gave the NOC. “I am sure he will get the NOC and once that happens, he’s free to join the League,” he said.

In case that happens, there will be a scramble for him— with a strike rate of 81.95 in Tests, 96.90 in one-dayers and 145.29 in Twenty20 cricket—among the franchise to sign him at the February 8 players’ auction.

Meanwhile, Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf has been cleared by the one-man arbitration panel, hearing a petition by the rebel Indian Cricket League against the player, to take part in a the auction, PTI adds from Karachi.

According to the Pakistan Cricket Board and its legal advisor Taffazul Rizvi, the arbitration panel has suspended a stay order it issued earlier against Yousuf from signing up for the IPL.

Yousuf, one of the highest-paid players in the IPL players pool, is one of the star attractions in the IPL bidding process. “I never went into a final contract with the ICL,” Yousuf said, regarding the controversy.

Bond to join ICL

•In Wellington, fast bowler Shane Bond cut his ties with New Zealand cricket today to play for the rebel Indian Cricket League, reports AFP. New Zealand Cricket confirmed today that Bond had terminated his contact after failing to reach an agreement which would have allowed him to continue his international career while playing in the Indian competition.

“Bond has been sympathetic to NZC’s situation,” New Zealand Cricket said in a statement. “Despite his playing agreements allowing him to continue playing for (New Zealand) and the ICL agreement only requiring his services when international commitments allow, he has decided in the best interests of NZC to terminate his playing agreement,” it said. “This has occurred by mutual consent.”

Bond, 32, played only 17 Tests for New Zealand in an injury-plagued career, taking 79 wickets at an average of 22.39. He took 125 wickets in 67 one-day internationals at an average of 19.32.

“I have taken immense pride in playing for the Black Caps,” Bond said. “I believed I could continue to do so for the term of my contract while also taking up the ICL opportunity. Given what has happened, I want to do the right thing by NZC, so at their request I have terminated my contract. I will continue to be available to play for the Black Caps and look forward to doing so once again when NZC deems this appropriate.”