Strauss optimistic about English participation in IPL

Strauss will lead England to a 11-week Caribbean tour with the players central contracts still unsigned.

However,negotiations are on between the ECB and PCA to find out a solution for the likes of Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff to play in the second edition of the IPL starting April 10.

“There’s a huge will on behalf of the players,the PCA and the ECB to get it done and dusted as soon as possible. Everyone will work as hard as they can to ensure it’s done before the cricket starts.

“From the players’ point of view,there are huge opportunities there financially. We need to find a way of marrying the opportunities available to the players and making sure the players are able to commit themselves to playing for England,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

Although,talks are on,English players have very little time left in their hand as the deadline to confirm their participation in the cash-rich tournament is February 4.

The ECB prevented English players from the inaugural edition of the event in 2008 because of a clash of programme with their national duty.

To add to that,IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi has already made it clear that English players have to commit at least four weeks to the Twenty20 event,but the ECB is willing to release the players for only two weeks.

However,the ECB is working hard to churn out a compromise formula of a three-week stint for players like Pietersen and Flintoff to allow them to return in time for the home series against the West Indies starting May 6.

Strauss is unlikely to be a part of IPL because of his absence from one-day cricket since 2007 World Cup and he said his team-mates have to keep their focus on Test cricket.

“What that preparation is depends on the player to a certain extent. I believe the players who will be involved in the IPL are experienced campaigners. They didn’t just turn up yesterday. They know what Test cricket is about and know what preparation they need.”