Cricket: IPL expansion plans offers chance for Kiwi cricketers

A planned expansion of the Indian Premier League may create more opportunities for New Zealand cricketers to join the lucrative Twenty20 tournament.

A bidding process for two extra franchises has started and IPL chairman Lalit Modi wants to see the competition increased to 10 teams for next year.

New Zealand Cricket Players' Association director Heath Mills said yesterday an increased number of teams "would suggest there would be more opportunities for the guys".

But, he said, there was no certainty New Zealanders would benefit.

"We haven't really got a lot of players in the IPL compared to other countries so it's not a foregone conclusion more players will be signed."

Daniel Vettori, Shane Bond, Brendon McCullum, Jacob Oram and Ross Taylor are scheduled to play in this year's IPL, starting next week.

This season's IPL has been under a cloud because of security concerns. Mills said the security situation was improving and it looked "more likely they [the New Zealanders] would go".

Each player would make their decision on an individual basis after receiving security advice from the NZCPA.

New Zealand players involved in the two-test series against Australia will not need to make a decision for another two or three weeks, although Bond, who has retired from test cricket, will probably have to make a decision by this weekend.

Bond has signed a US$750,000 ($1.07 million) deal to play for the Kolkata Knight Riders. Mills said if the Canterbury fast bowler decided to go he would be able to give the other players a good view of how security was on the ground.

- NZPA