If there's a window I'd love to play in the IPL, says England hero Sidebottom

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The England and Wales Cricket Board recently hardened their stance towards the star-studded Twenty20 tournament by confirming no centrally-contracted players would be taking part.

Batsman Kevin Pietersen has already complained it is "ridiculous" that England players cannot feature in the lucrative new league, even though it clashes with the start of the domestic season.

Other countries have allowed some of their players to sign up with Indian franchises for the six-week event but so far Dimitri Mascarenhas of Hampshire - not centrally contracted - is the only English player to fully join.

The only other Englishman involved is Gloucestershire's Jeremy Snape, who will work as a high-performance coach with Mascarenhas' Rajasthan Royals.

Sidebottom, named as one of Wisden's five cricketers of the year on Wednesday, hopes a way can be found for England's best to play.

He saide: "It's down to England and I'm contracted to them.

"The calendar is very hectic and to play for England you represent your country and I'm concentrating on that.

"If there is a window for the IPL then I would love to play in it, of course."

Another England player to voice his approval for the new tournament is opening batsman Alastair Cook.

Cook claimed the IPL was "excellent for cricket" and could "only benefit the sport" if it proves successful. He added: "Issues will be sorted out as to when England players could play in it and if the opportunity arrives to play in it I'm sure people will play." Former England captain Graham Gooch claims the ECB will not be able to retain such a tight grip on their players over the situation. The IPL is run by the Board of Control for Cricket in India and is backed by the International Cricket Council. With such big money on offer to players, he feels it is inevitable that English players will play. Gooch said: "Accommodation will be made between our board and the players. There's a lot of sabre rattling but it will all be sorted out in the end. "I don't think people will want to be at loggerheads with each other. "Either players on central contracts will have to have their remuneration greatly enhanced or they will have to be accommodated within the contract."