Indian Premier League The Future

How would you like to earn enough money within six weeks to ensure you and your family never have to worry about cash problems again?

Cricket to change forever

Well if you're one of the world's top cricketers then your luck is in - that is unless you are English.

The controversial Indian Premier League begins later with 14 of the top players raking in over £400,000 each to play in a maximum of fourteen 20-over-a-side matches.

But the governing body of English cricket has told the national team's centrally contracted players they are banned from taking part.

Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting will be there earning nearly half-a-million pounds. West Indian legend Chris Gayle has signed up for the chance to play in front of sell-out crowds.

Kiwi wicketkeeper Brendan McCullum will play - missing the start of their tour to England this summer.

And Pakistan, Sri Lankaand South Africa have allowed players to cash in on the franchise.

But the likes of Kevin Peitersen and Paul Collingwood will be forced to play in front of pathetically small crowds at home, dodging the rain and snow.

No matter what cricket fans in England say - and they are an amazingly loyal and knowledgeable bunch - the county system is boring as hell - just look at the meagre crowds.

There is little interest from the public and little incentive for the best players to turn out after gruelling tours in their ever-increasing test schedule.

Whether the purists like it or not - the IPL is here to stay and WILL change the face of cricket for ever.

England bosses are contemplating a deal with a US moneyman that could see the most lucrative one-off match played later this year in the West Indies.

That's just window dressing - a way to take the players' minds off the real deal.

If England bosses continue to ignore the riches offered to their best players - they do it at their peril. Test cricket is the most important facet of the game.

And the ECB has to do everything to safeguard its future. Ignoring the IPL, and having no influence on how it shapes the modern game would be catastrophic

Pietersen is one of the best players in the world right now - and all he wants is the same opportunities as his test opponents.

Stop this pussy-footing around and let him. Otherwise he might take more drastic action - and our best players may follow.