Cricket: IPL monster has the money to buy time

Indian cricket has taken an even firmer grip on the world game with news that it is 'buying' the time of New Zealand and other international cricketers to play in the lucrative Twenty20 IPL - while at the same time cutting down on the riches players receive.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) and its equivalent bodies around the world will be paid a 10 per cent fee (of a player's salary) by the BCCI for anyone signed to the IPL in April and May this season.

The significance for the BCCI is that, by making the payments, other boards feel compelled to avoid scheduling test or one-day series at the same time.

It counters the fact the ICC will never officially sanction an official IPL window in the calendar. All governing bodies except Pakistan and the West Indies have thus created space for the IPL next year.

The BCCI is also exerting its authority over players. Strict new rules surrounding the right to play in the IPL tournament are being administered this season, some of which could impinge on players' privacy or restraint of trade laws.

Cricketers selected to play the tournament's fourth edition could receive less than half their original bid prices as the IPL streamlines its business.

There could also be a delay of months before anyone is auctioned - the cause being the ongoing High Court cases involving the Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals versus the BCCI. Both franchises were suspended from the IPL in October due to ownership issues.

Any verdict could see the cases further delayed in the Indian Supreme Court. The KXIP - among other franchises - are also alleged to owe players millions of dollars from the previous tournament. If the players are not paid soon, they could sue.

Reserve prices have already been set for Black Caps entering the IPL auction process but the New Zealand Cricket Players Association has warned members their rights and incomes might be curtailed if they sign. Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum can probably command a reserve in the vicinity of US$300,000 but the bidding for most other Kiwis probably starts at no more than US$50,000.

Other cutbacks include the number of foreign players per franchise. These are expected to reduce from around 10 to seven or eight.

The new criteria under the playing agreement include:

1) The original auction figure will be divided into 80 per cent IPL payment and 20 per cent Champions League (CL) payment. That means if any player's team doesn't make the CL, 20 per cent of their bid price is automatically cancelled.

2) A further 20 per cent can be deducted on a pro rata basis if IPL players are available but not selected (eg Kyle Mills not playing a single Kings XI Punjab game in 2008).

3) If players are injured during the tournament, salaries can be reduced by 50 per cent.

4) Players must be available for 10 promotional appearances during the year. If they fail to appear at any, 10 per cent of their salary is deducted. Some players will miss the odd appearance intentionally if they conflict with an international schedule or aren't in their personal interest.

5) Players must advise the IPL of all personal sponsorship arrangements and their value.

6) Players are not supposed to compete in any conflicting Twenty20 competitions around the world, a clause likely to be contested under restraint of trade laws.

7) If players sign up again, they agree the BCCI and IPL do not owe them anything under previous contracts.