Paul Collingwood confirmed England's players have not yet signed their central contracts, but insists it has nothing to do with the IPL.
England all-rounder says possible IPL window is not a sticking point
Paul Collingwood confirmed England's players have not yet signed their central contracts, but insists there is nothing sinister about the situation.
The
England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) failed to reach a deal with their Indian counterparts about a reciprocal agreement for the release of players for the Indian Premier League (IPL) and English Premier League Twenty20 competitions.
Collingwood said the fact that the central contracts remain unsigned has nothing to do with a desire among England's players to take up lucrative IPL assignments.
"We didn't sign them until January last year," Collingwood told
Sky Sports News.
"I'm not too sure why we haven't signed them this time around. That's obviously something the PCA (Professional Cricketers' Association) deal with, along with the ECB.
"It's certainly not because we're waiting around to see what's happening with the IPL."
Uncertain schedule
There is potential for an IPL window as England finish their tour of West Indies on April 3, seven days before the start of the second edition of the seven-week long event.
Sri Lanka are due in England for two Tests in May but that visit is in doubt due to their own players' IPL commitments.
"We still don't know who we are playing in Test cricket at the start of next summer - there are still a lot of grey areas," added Collingwood.
"But I'm sure, when the contracts are ready to be signed, we'll get straight in there and sign them.
"You have to get the balance right between giving the players the opportunity to play in the IPL, but also the balance has to be right with regards to Test cricket.
No offers
"From a players' point of view you want to playing for England and wearing the Three Lions, if Test cricket is there you want to be prepared for it.
"We have a massive year coming up, but if there is a window that would be great because there are huge benefits."
Collingwood, likely to be one of the England's most in-demand players from the IPL franchises, has not received any offers to play in the league.
"I haven't had any approaches - that's something that the agents tend to look after," said the Durham all-rounder.
