Sidebottom admits IPL hope

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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.

But Sidebottom, named as one of Wisden's five cricketers of the year, hopes a way can be found for England's best to play. He told BBC Radio Five Live: "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."

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.

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."