KEY POINTS:
A set of compelling arguments put before a meeting of the board of New Zealand Cricket this week will see the three original Indian Premier League (IPL) recruits being given dispensation to join the tour to England late.
Although the official line is the board will make the
decision it is understood to be fait accompli that Brendon McCullum, Jacob Oram and skipper Daniel Vettori, who with Stephen Fleming and Scott Styris were snapped up in the original IPL auction, will be given leave to play in India longer.
Should they choose to take up the dispensation, they will almost certainly be allowed to miss the traditional tour opener at Arundel, the following three-dayer against Kent at Canterbury and the four-dayer against Essex at Chelmsford that ends on May 5.
That will leave them the four-dayer against England A at Southampton to prepare for the first test at Lord's starting May 15.
The game at Arundel is not considered a biggie, being staged mainly for the benefit of businessman and NZC benefactor Michael Watt. The invitation side to face New Zealand that day will be captained by Chris Cairns.
One of the key arguments will be that by denying them some extra time in India, signing retainers for the national body will no longer be attractive. Despite a significant increase in the player pool that now sees the top-ranked cricketer earn $174,000 as a basic retainer, up from $128,000 (the figure drops in $6000 increments to numbers 18-20 who each receive $72,000), the likes of McCullum and Oram could earn significantly more by being available for the duration of the IPL and playing for match fees when turning out for New Zealand.
That is a situation NZC chief Justin Vaughan will be anxious to avoid.
Just yesterday Tony Greig, who as a player was at the sharp end of the Packer revolution and is now on the `rebel' Indian Cricket League (ICL) board, warned that players will quit their countries to chase the dollar in India.
"Top players from all over the world will quit international cricket to play in the IPL and the ICL, the boards will bleed, and the finger will be pointed at the BCCI," he told reporters. "The Asian boards are in the BCCI's pocket. But what happens to New Zealand, South Africa, England, who are sure to feel the pinch?
"The BCCI is asking for a window from the ICC to host the matches. They may as well get it for now, but the schedules of the other countries will go for a toss.
"The way the BCCI is functioning right now, it doesn't seem that they are in the mood to compromise."
Players' boss Heath Mills has urged the board to be "pragmatic" when making their decision.
"The cricket environment has changed. These are the circumstances we're dealing with now. Just because we've done things a certain way for the past 100 years doesn't mean we have to keep doing them the same way. New Zealand cricket needs to take a pragmatic approach."
Even though he will be allowed leave, there will still be a deluge of pressure on Vettori, as captain.
Ross Taylor and Kyle Mills, who signed up after the second auction, will likely be looked upon differently as the IPL contract structure was more robust. Still, it would be no surprise to see them join late as well.
The Herald on Sunday revealed a fortnight ago that some first-class players had been approached by NZC as to their off-season plans. Those playing league cricket in England will have the inside track in being called into the side for the three games when the absences will be felt. There is even a suggestion, unconfirmed, that the IPL will cover the costs of the match fees for these players to ensure some of their marquee players stick around for a little longer.