Cricket: T20 contracts come with a catch

Ross Taylor is likely to be on the shopping list for a number of IPL franchises. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Disappointment is around the corner for a large group of New Zealand cricketers.

Yet it might prove in time to be a blessing in disguise.

Around 35 players have signed up to go into the auction for places in this season's Indian Premier League.

The world's best-known T20 tournament is due to start straight after the World Cup, which runs from February 19 to April 2.

The IPL is in flux with two of the 10 franchises, the Rajasthan Royals and the Kings XI Punjab, involved in court cases with the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

This week both survived termination of their deals with the board thanks to a division of the Bombay High Court. And the BCCI was slapped by the court, saying the Kings XI Punjab expulsion was flawed - "anything but fair".

Until the cases are cleared, nothing can proceed, but there is confidence the IPL will start on time.

The chronology of events is that the BCCI gathers the names of all those who have signed on for consideration for the IPL and circulates them among the 10 franchises.

Any players who attract the interest of the franchises go into the auction. Those unwanted miss out.

Players had to nominate a starting price for themselves in the auction. New Zealand players opted to value themselves between $20,000 to more than $200,000.

One catch is any players who are picked up are locked into that amount for three years. Their stock may rise in that time, but the fee won't.

Probably no more than half a dozen New Zealand players will interest the Indians - captain Dan Vettori, Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor are certainties. Jesse Ryder, if fit, will appeal.

Allrounder Scott Styris and senior new ball bowler Kyle Mills have done time in the IPL while offspinner and late order hitter Nathan McCullum and capable death bowler Tim Southee might attract interest.

But the rule of thumb from the players seems to be that they need to be "in to win".

The contractual arrangements differ from the first three seasons of the IPL. There are fish hooks.

In those days as long as overseas players were fit and available they got paid, even if not required for a game. That is now off the table. Players unavailable to do promotional work for the franchise also have a slice of pay removed.

And there's the Champions League factor. A chunk of the payment relates to whether a player's franchise qualifies for the league. No Champions League place, and it's a further cut in the pay.

"The players need to understand there are big changes from last time," New Zealand Players Association boss Heath Mills said. His organisation reviewed a draft of the contract and is working with NZC to ensure players understand the implications.

Seeking a T20 contract elsewhere at the same time as the IPL will not be possible, even if they have signed with the IPL but are not required.