Contract dilemma facing England stars

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England's star names will not feature in the IPL later this month as it clashes with the Test series against New Zealand, and Clarke does not expect coach Peter Moores to release players for the 2009 tournament when there is a gap in the calendar.

Kevin Pietersen recently indicated that England players would want to eventually feature, but Clarke, chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, said: "It would free him up in that sense. It's a risk he would take. KP runs the risk, as anyone does, of losing his place or ending up getting injured."

He added: "Employment contracts are a matter between the employer and the employee - they are not compulsory. If you don't want to be employed by somebody you don't have to.

"Then you run the risks of not being employed by that person. That is a risk you may choose to run. Cricket careers can come to an end as well as begin."

As it stands, the IPL will not use players if there is a clash with international cricket, but next year's tournament will be between England's tour of West Indies and the Ashes series.

Clarke highlighted the need to maximise the chances of defeating Australia next summer.

"I couldn't see anyone centrally contracted playing," said Clarke. "I can't see Peter Moores determining that he wishes to release him.

"The risks are very significant. We're about to play Australia. If Peter Moores released a player and he got injured, what would the reaction be?

"Spectators want to know that our players are as fit and sharp and ready for the Ashes series as we can ensure they are."