Save your game - ECB given clearance to tackle Kolpak

There has been growing unrest within the domestic game about the alarming numbers of foreigners - predominantly South Africans - being employed by counties as non-overseas players, ahead of young English talent.

Concerned: Ashley Giles

Fears about the damaging long-term effects on the England team were recently summed up by selector and Warwickshire coach Ashley Giles, who warned of a 'serious problem' caused by the current recruitment drive which he likened to 'easy internet shopping'.

Matters came to a head in mid-May when Leicestershire and Northamptonshire fielded a combined total of 10 Kolpaks in a County Championship match.

The ECB have been lobbying the European Union in an attempt to close the loophole which has paved the way for so many non-qualified players to ply their trade here.

Yesterday they were able to welcome a significant breakthrough. At an EU conference, Michal Krejza, the head of the European Commission's sports unit, said: 'It is the decision of individual member states to admit Cotonou (Kolpak) players, not the European Union.'

His comments mean English cricket's governing body finally have clearance to regulate the situation.

Last night, an ECB spokesman said: 'We have noted the position of the EU and will be investigating further.'

The authorities at Lord's will liaise with the immigration authorities before formulating a strategy, but officials acknowledge that this is a decisive turning point.

The most likely scenario is that Kolpak players under contract will be permitted to see out their current deals, but future applications will be subjected to far more stringent criteria.

The ECB are expected to closely control the overseas recruiting, rather than eradicate it completely.

One man with a considerable interest in developments is Leicestershire chief executive David Smith, who said: 'The Kolpak issue is an interesting one. Our players are all on contracts that take them to at least 2010, so any change in the ruling, I guess, would have to be phased in.'

Meanwhile, the majority of the 18 first-class counties have been warned about the threat of being disqualified from the lucrative Twenty20 Champions League due to their use of so-called 'rebel' Indian Cricket League players.

In theory, the finalists in this season's Twenty20 Cup will earn the right to face the best teams from India, Australia and South Africa in late September/early October, with an astonishing prize of £2.45million up for grabs.

With no clear guidance on the thorny issue of ICL player participation, the majority of counties have already fielded their 'rebels' and will continue to.

But IPL commissioner Lalit Modi has declared that they will be ineligible for the Champions League.

Asked if counties with ICL players would be invited if they dropped these players for the event, he said: 'No, even that is not possible. Only teams that have no ties at all with ICL players will be invited, others are automatically disqualified.'

While 15 of the 18 counties have rebel players in their ranks, five say they have no intention of fielding them, leaving the other 10 - Derbyshire, Durham, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Kent, Lancashire, Northants, Notts, Surrey and Sussex in a state of confusion.