England will tour West Indies despite IPL plans

Updated 11.38 Tue Feb 19 2008

Keywords: ecb, england and wales cricket board, giles clarke, west indies, england, indian premier league, sport, cricket

England's cricketers will ignore pressure to accomodate the Indian Premier League by touring the West Indies next winter.

The first-ever Indian Premier League will be held later this year, with world stars including Ricky Ponting, Stephen Fleming and Graeme Smith all signed up to play.

"I do not believe England players will be involved next year" - Giles Clarke

The competition has the support of the International Cricket Council and IPL is likely to lobby for a window in the calendar to allow the world's best players to appear in future.

England's planned tour could be threatened if the first IPL is a success and England players are tempted to play next year.

Giles Clarke, chairman of the England and Wales cricket Board, said: "I don't believe England players will be involved next year.

"Several have already complained about burnout caused by too much cricket. Our players are contracted and we are committed to touring the West Indies at that time."

Test stars Ponting, Fleming and Smith have agreed to play in the IPL this year but others, including Australia's Michael Clarke, have turned down the opportunity to concentrate on playing for their countries.

West Indies' players Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan are expected to pay in India this year.