KEY POINTS:
New Zealand might be facing a renewed threat from England on the pitch but cricket bosses are facing an even tougher task off it.
The Herald on Sunday can reveal that three more New Zealand players, including two current internationals, are in contact with the rebel Indian Cricket League regarding possible contracts.
"I am aware of three other players, who have spoken to agents regarding the ICL," Players Association manager Heath Mills told this newspaper last night.
No names have been given though it is widely thought Kyle Mills is a potential target, having missed out on an Indian Premier League contract.
The situation will be cause for further headaches for New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughn, yesterday en route to Malaysia for an ICC scheduling summit.
Top of the agenda is the possibility of a fixed window for the IPL, the sanctioned Twenty20 competition.
It was hoped the IPL would provide a security blanket that would keep players from joining the unsanctioned ICL but, in New Zealand's case, it looks like an uphill battle.
Meanwhile, New Zealand allrounder Jacob Oram has warned against a knee-jerk reaction to the side's batting problems that re-emerged on Friday night. Ahead of Wednesday's pivotal fourth ODI at Napier, the big-hitting batsman said of the top order: "They've shown what they're capable of; they just need to do it more often."
