English cricketers seeking clarity on their NOC post PSL draft as quite a few of the shorter format stars have been picked.
English cricketers are seeking clarity from the ECB over whether they will be granted (NOCs) after they were signed to play in the PSL at Monday’s draft in Lahore.
While Chris Jordan, David Willey, and James Vince (Karachi Kings) were previously retained. Tom Kohler-Cadmore (Peshawar Zalmi), Sam Billings, and Tom Curran (both Lahore Qalandars) were signed in Monday’s draft. For the first time in 2025, the PSL will coincide with the start of the English season as it has shifted to an April–May schedule.
When the ECB revealed a new NOC policy in late November, players responded angrily. According to chief executive Richard Gould, the measure was intended to “defend our game.” The move caught the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) off guard. They said that their sense of “genuine collaboration” with the ECB was no longer there.
With the noteworthy exception of the IPL. Players will not be granted NOCs for any international tournaments that play during the English summer. This including as the PSL, CPL, and MLC, under the new regulation. NOCs will be given to players on white-ball contracts with their counties for events that don’t conflict with the Hundred or the T20 Blast.
After criticism from players, their agents, and the PCA. ECB changed their original proposal to exclude players who had any provision for red-ball appearances from missing County Championship games in order to play abroad. It is now anticipated that Billings, Curran, Jordan, and Willey will all receive NOCs for the PSL.
The board’s position is that all petitions will be evaluated by its NOC “consultation group” in accordance with the standards established in November. In the PSL, this will imply that players who are on white-ball contracts. Those who decide to restructure their current multi-format contracts following the draft will be eligible for NOCs.
Both Vince and Kohler-Cadmore are on all-format contracts with their respective counties, Hampshire and Somerset. It is believed that they are weighing their options. If both players meet their PSL contracts, they would miss at least the first six Championship games of the season. This is when the PSL is scheduled to run from April 8 to May 19.
A PCA spokesperson said: “Following the announcement of the NOC policy and its proposed implementation. The PCA has been engaging with its members, legal team and the ECB. Collectively representing current players to find solutions on restrictions. Progress has been made across a number of implementation areas. However, each NOC request is on a case-by-case basis and there remains ongoing consultation.”