Cricket: Rebel trio sever all ties with ICL

Craig McMillan can be considered by the Black Caps. Photo / Paul Estcourt

New Zealand Cricket has now received legal notification from Craig McMillan, Daryl Tuffey and Shane Bond that they have officially severed ties with the Indian Cricket League.

NZC chief executive Justin Vaughan last night confirmed that notice had been received from all three that they were no longer contracted to the "rebel" league.

"We will probably get our own legal advice to make sure everything is in order but certainly if everything is as it should be, it opens the door for them to return to international cricket."

Bond and Tuffey's imminent return was revealed in the Herald on Sunday last week, as was their desire to return to national colours. Tuffey has talked about his bid to become a Black Cap.

Bond's manager Leanne McGoldrick last night confirmed a letter had been sent to NZC and that Bond, who is holidaying in the United States, would make an announcement on his return.

McMillan's motivation for returning is different but he didn't waste the opportunity to attack the International Cricket Council's handling of the ICL affair.

"They have been really disappointing throughout this, the way they have been so submissive [to the BCCI] and have sat on their hands and done nothing.

"They had the opportunity to make a stand and provide a policy around privately owned cricket leagues but chose to do nothing. That will come back to bite them where it hurts.

"The ICC is kidding themselves if they think the ICL will be the last privately owned, 'rebel' league to rear its head. I firmly believe there will be more unsanctioned tournaments as the cricket landscape changes."

McMillan felt the humiliation of being tarred by the ICL brush more than most. Last night he confirmed that he had been denied opportunities to commentate during the home summer because of his ICL ties.

"It was frustrating to miss out on that," he said.

McMillan now hopes to extend his commentating portfolio next summer, is sitting his level two coaching certificate, and a return to Canterbury colours for the domestic Twenty20 competition is not out of the question either.

"There are other options, like commentating, I'm probably pursuing first but I certainly feel in good enough nick to play Twenty20.

"I want to stay involved and work in cricket here and that is the main reason I opted out of the ICL because being tagged by that I found quite restricting."

Vaughan said the return of the three, who have used the same legal adviser during the process of seeking and gaining a release from the ICL, was warmly received at board level.

"Obviously no-one was happy when this happened 18 months ago but the players were free to make there own decisions ... there really was no opinion voiced [among the board] that they should face further sanction."