James Vince, NOCs and the PSL: Why are the ECB and county cricketers at loggerheads over T20 leagues? | Cricket news

Hampshire's James Vince has quit red-ball cricket for 2025 and taken a lucrative Pakistan Super League deal, as the ECB made clear it would crack down on players seeking T20 franchise contracts during red-ball deals with their counties.

Vince's move comes at a time when the ECB and boycott actors are embroiled in a dispute over the administrative body's new policy on no-objection certificates (NOCs).

So what are NOCs? Why this change in ECB policy? Who are the most affected by this step?

What differentiates the ECB from the players?

Vince, along with a number of other English players, are seeking clarification from the ECB on whether they will be granted No Objection Certificates to play in the Pakistan Super League and other T20 tournaments that are set to clash with the domestic summer.

Players reportedly reacted angrily in late November when the European Central Bank announced a new policy on NOCs, which CEO Richard Gould said was aimed at “defending our game”.

The new policy will see players denied NOCs in all overseas leagues played during the English summer, including the PSL, Caribbean Premier League and Major League Cricket in the USA – with the notable exception of the Indian Premier League.

“We need to protect our summer,” Gould said. “When we have players under contract, we want to encourage them to stay and play in our competitions.”

The Professional Cricketers' Association said at the time that it was shocked by the policy and that its sense of “genuine cooperation” with the ECB had disappeared.

There is even the threat of a legal challenge, due to restrictions on trade. “The PCA’s legal team is currently completing a comprehensive examination of the implementation of the policy,” she said in November.

Why doesn't the ECB allow players to play in the PSL?

While the PSL was previously a popular off-season competition for English players, its move to a new place in the calendar – from April 8 to May 19 – means it now clashes with the four-day County Championship competition.

Players who have white-ball contracts with their counties will be given NOCs for competitions that do not conflict with Vitality Blast or Hundred, but there will be no contracts in all formats.

Gould explained that the ECB's tougher stance towards national Olympic companies was introduced to prevent domestic competitions being “undermined” by overseas leagues, with growing fears of a drop in domestic output if the best players work elsewhere.

Vince has been contracted in all formats – captaining the club in four-day and T20 cricket – even after being retained by Karachi Kings in the PSL Draft on Monday, he converted his deal with the club to white-ball only, with this announcement. To be followed on Wednesday.

The 33-year-old, who was part of England's 2019 World Cup-winning squad, has endured a difficult 2024 on a personal level, after several attacks on his family home. As a result, his family made the decision to move to Dubai.

Giles White, Hampshire Director of Cricket, said: “We realize this announcement will be a disappointment to many fans but we hope everyone will join us in celebrating what (Vince) has done for our club over many years and his support as a coach.” He is making good on his commitment to continue leading the Hawks into the 2025 Vitality Blast.”

Who are the affected players?

Somerset paste Tom Koehler Cudmore He is someone who is set to be affected by the European Central Bank's new policy on national oil companies.

With no change yet to his overall county deal, the 30-year-old is currently set to miss at least the first six Championship matches of the season if he is to fulfill his PSL contract with Peshawar Zalmi.

Four other English players – Tom Curran (Sarri), Chris Jordan (Surrey), Sam Billings (Kent) and David Willey (Northamptonshire) They will participate in the PSL, but without any problems due to only white-ball dealings with their respective provinces.

Several new England internationals, incl Saqib Mahmood, Lockwood and George Gartoncurrently under county contracts which mainly cover white-ball cricket but also contain 'pay-as-you-play' options for the tournament.

If they are drafted into a T20 league that conflicts with the domestic summer, they will be granted NOCs only if they retire from red-ball cricket.

Six centrally contracted players in England have reportedly registered themselves for the PSL Draft, but were marked 'unavailable' on the long list sent to franchises after the ECB made clear it would not grant them no-objection certificates.

This includes Jonny Bairstow – who has not played for England since June – and Adel Rashid.

Hussein: A crucial point in the balance between the red and white ball

Sky Sports Nasser Hussein: “I was in Essex a few days ago and they were talking about the Vince situation and the implications.

“He's not just a white-ball specialist – he's a very good red-ball player, he's been playing with them for a very long time – and he's the club captain.

“I think he's nearing the end of his professional career, so if there's a £100,000 offer on the table from the Premier League, he might go as an independent and do what he can.

“Don't you think countries like the West Indies, South Africa and even New Zealand would say: Welcome to our world?”

“We are now aware of the fact that they are coming to our summer. We will have the American franchise (MLC) in the summer as well.

“It's just that battle between white-ball and red-ball cricket. Red-ball costs a lot even at county level.

“It's a real critical point where the balance exists between red-ball cricket and white-ball cricket at the moment.”