Cricket: McCullum tried to exploit IPL 'loophole'

Brendon McCullum's attempt to exploit a loophole forced the IPL to amend its rules. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Brendon McCullum tried to turn down a New Zealand Cricket (NZC) contract in the hope of becoming a free agent and playing the entire Indian Premier League (IPL), it was reported today.

IPL commissioner Lalit Modi said New Zealand vice-captain McCullum tried to exploit a "loophole" in the system, which had since been shut down during a meeting earlier this month.

"McCullum was trying to become a free agent (threatening not to sign an NZC central contract), he wanted to play in the entire IPL and there was a loophole there, but that loophole was closed during our meeting on September 2 when we introduced a new amendment for players who don't have a national contract," Modi told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Where the requirement of a no-objection certificate (NOC) by their home boards applied only to retired players, McCullum's attempt forced organisers to rewrite the law so that NOCs are now also required by any player without a national contract.

"The new amendment reads that international players need NOCs from their home boards 'for two years post-retirement/not in contract'," Modi said.

"We want to ensure people continue to play for their countries. Nobody is going to budge on the NOC issue, it was designed so players do not try to become free agents."

The rewriting of the laws meant England star Andrew Flintoff, who has a US$1.55 million ($2.19 million) contract with IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings, needs England Cricket Board (ECB) permission to participate in the tournament in 2011 after he turned down a central contract offer yesterday.

McCullum and fellow IPL-contracted New Zealanders Daniel Vettori, Jacob Oram, Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder and Kyle Mills reportedly delayed signing their NZC contracts in July over concerns they would be out of pocket due to a clash with Australia's inbound tour next March.

At the time, it was calculated McCullum would be up to $500,000 out of pocket and he said it was a hugely difficult decision before he eventually signed with NZC.

"I'm not going to lie to you, it was tough. The cold, hard facts are there for anyone to see," he told Sunday News.

"It wasn't that I didn't want to play cricket for New Zealand but I guess the immediate financial security that sort of money can provide for your family was a factor.

"You play the game for your family and you try and achieve for them and try and provide for them.

"It was difficult knowing how much money I was turning down and I also had to think about the captaincy at Kolkata."

McCullum said the dream of eventually taking over the New Zealand captaincy from Daniel Vettori encouraged him to stay loyal to NZC.

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