ECB can prevent Flintoff IPL debut
England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive David Collier has revealed they could prevent Andrew Flintoff from playing in the Indian Premier League on fitness grounds.
The all-rounder is set to play for Chennai Super Kings in April despite currently being sidelined by a hip injury, ruling him out of Thursday's fourth Test against the West Indies. And Collier told BBC Radio Five's Sportsweek programme there is a chance they could pull him out of the IPL to improve his chances of being fit for the Ashes in the summer.
He said: "We'd be concerned if any player was carrying an injury that may affect his participation in the Ashes series and we'll look at that as we move forward."
Asked if the ECB could stop Flintoff playing, Collier said: "There are medical clauses. The IPL are very responsible in that area and we have very, very strong relationships with Chennai. Andrew's own team will also be looking at the injury prognosis."
He added: "We would need to review it, obviously this has only just happened. But there are injury provisions in both sides of the contracts."
