County cricket threatened by IPL's emergence

London, Feb 12 (UNI) The lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) could pose a threat to county cricket with Chief Executives of the 18 English counties saying they may find it difficult to attract overseas players.

''The IPL is making life very difficult, there are very few high-class overseas players available,'' Mark Newton, Chief Executive of Worcestershire, was quoted as saying by the 'The Times'. ''I can see a scenario when a county player is coming to the end of his career and is offered USD 200,000 for six weeks' work. Throw in media work and it would be tempting.'' Glamorgan cricket manager Mathew Maynard said, ''The IPL could have a massive impact on the game. In a few years there could be fixtures between Manchester and Mumbai.'' The IPL, which is backed by the BCCI and the ICC, has enlisted several foreign players who are currently playing county cricket, with legendary Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne, who is with Hampshire seen as the biggest loss.

Some of the other county stars who have signed up for the IPL are Mahela Jayawardane (Derbyshire), Murali Kartik (Middlesex), Mohammad Asif (Surrey), Justin Kemp (Kent), Jason Gillespie (Glamorgan) and Justin Langer (Somerset).

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