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New Zealand's best bowler, Shane Bond, and New Zealand Cricket are heading for a stand-off amid reports that the player has signed a three-year agreement worth US$800,000 ($1.03 million) to play in the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) from this year.
That could end his days of official international cricket, as administrators have encouraged national selectors to consider other players ahead of those who join the rebels.
The Guardian claimed yesterday that the speedster would also become a test case in an expensive legal battle "that will leave all test nations nervously awaiting the outcome".
Bond would be the seventh New Zealand player to sign up for a league which has just finished its first season of Twenty20 matches.
NZ Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan last night confirmed that a deal which would release Bond to play overseas after his NZC contract ends in April was put to the player.
But ICC regulations meant any contracted player couldn't accept a deal to play in an unsanctioned competition.
Indian officials are setting up the Indian Premier League (IPL), which enjoys support from International Cricket Council members. It is expected to start in April.
"We are still looking at a solution. Getting Shane an IPL contract is still the preferred one and we've put together a package that is extremely good," Vaughan said.
Bond, 32, has taken 79 wickets in 17 tests and an outstanding 125 in 67 one-day internationals.
The rebel ICL is planning several mini-Twenty20 competitions this year, the first mooted for March.
Under the terms of his national contract, Bond would then be playing test cricket against England.
But it is thought Bond had his sights on other competitions later in the year which would not conflict with an NZC commitment.
NZC has allowed five players - current and former captains Daniel Vettori and Stephen Fleming, Jacob Oram, Brendon McCullum and Scott Styris - to play in the IPL.
The players could play in the gap between the end of the England tour and the start of New Zealand's visit to England.
England's board has taken a similar position to NZC.
"Selectors will be instructed to take into consideration the fact that these players have played in an unauthorised competition," England Cricket Board chairman Giles Clarke said.
New Zealand Cricket Players' Association chief executive Heath Mills would not comment on Bond's position last night but said the issues surrounding the two leagues and the ICC were "difficult and complex".
"We want to work with New Zealand Cricket to navigate our way through this so New Zealand is in a strong position in the years ahead," Mills said.
The Federation of International Cricketers Association believes the ICC should embrace the diverse range of limited-overs competitions rather than take an adversarial stance.
