Pietersen case brings the transfer era ever nearer
An official transfer system for English cricket is being considered. The Professional Cricketers' Association will ask consultants this week to produce a report and will shortly hold discussions with the England and Wales Cricket Board and the 18 first-class counties.
The issue has come to the fore again as more players than ever are changing clubs. That trend will continue as counties try to achieve a balance between reducing playing staff to save money with the need to gain promotion or avoid relegation.
Clubs have become increasingly irked at what they perceive to be the unfairness of an outmoded practice which sees them nurture and invest in young players who then leave. Their mood has been exacerbated because some players recently have sought to depart while still under contract.
Although the million-pound cricketer is likely to remain a figment of the imagination, the argument for change has been accelerated by the case of Kevin Pietersen. He wants to leave Nottinghamshire despite having a year left of a four-year contract. The county are insisting he stays. But the reality is that if they could get compensation from another club they would let him go.
Richard Bevan, the chief executive of the PCA, reiterated the organisation's belief in the "principle of sanctity of contract", but said that it was clearly not in anyone's interests for a county to have an unhappy squad.
"In this context perhaps it is time for the game's stakeholders to raise the issue of a transfer system for debate," said Bevan. "We will talk to the ECB and the counties about this in the near future."
In a game hardly awash with money, it will not be straightforward to inaugurate a system where players are bought and sold. A new standard contract, drawn up between the ECB and PCA, for all English professionals may help to circumvent it. "This should be a template for employers and employees in cricket," said Bevan. "It is a contract for all players, replacing things like list-one and list-two players. It is very significant."
Unless either party backs down - and there is scant indication of that - the dispute between Pietersen and Nottinghamshire is unlikely to be resolved quickly. The PCA are anxious to keep lawyers out of the matter and have to tread delicately. They are representing a player who wants to break his contract.
The association are also angry that the Pietersen case became public. Details of the dispute were leaked by the player's solicitor because Pietersen was frustrated at the lack of progress.
"We have always emphasised that both sides should abide by their contract," said Bevan. "If it is broken, then there are consequences. No amount of public exposure will alter that - either the parties reach a compromise or a court will decide the issue for them. The PCA is not in favour of court action, but that is a decision for Nottinghamshire CCC, Kevin Pietersen and their advisers."
It is highly improbable that Pietersen will play for Nottinghamshire next summer but potential suitors, recognising the potential legal repercussions, are remaining silent. He was linked with Somerset last week but it hard to see him playing in Taunton. Pietersen wants to be near London and in the First Division.
The richly promising, self-assured batsman of 23 has already had a tortuous career after opting to leave South Africa to qualify for England. He may yet become the first player for whom compensation is paid: effectively the first player to be transferred.
Sport blogs
- 1 To help fuel their propaganda machine against the poor, our government has now decided to redefine the word 'welfare'
- 2 Tower Bridge glass walkway 'smashed' by night-time visitor dropping bottle of beer
- 3 Anti-gay hate preacher accidentally tweets 4,000 followers cartoon clip of him 'confessing' to be a 'homosexual sodomite'
- 4 Woman opens professional cuddling shop – gets 10,000 customers in first week
- 5 Grayson Perry: London needs affordable housing because 'rich people don't create culture'
-
Rochester by-election: Ukip gains second MP as Tory defector Mark Reckless holds seat
-
'Beast of Bolsover' Dennis Skinner takes Ukip MP Mark Reckless to task moments after he is sworn in
-
Rochester by-election: Labour MP Emily Thornberry resigns after posting white van and England flags tweet
-
France 'blocks' Russian sailors from boarding a warship
-
Rochester aftermath: Sacking of Emily Thornberry will make work of Labour MPs '10 times harder'
-
Revealed: How the world gets rich – from privatising British public services
WIN a trip for two to Cuba
Follow Simon Calder's journey in Cuba, and enter our competition to win a trip for two to Cuba
Rainbow list 2014: The LBGT people who make a real difference
Introducing our annual celebration of the lesbian, bisexual, gay, and transgender people who make a real difference
2014 WISE Summit
For the past four years, Qatar Foundation has been awarding an international prize for education each year, the first award of its kind in the world. Find out more...
Build yourself a brighter future
Chartered surveyors will be critical to shaping our new world
Why HD audio will lead to smarter calling
Telecom giant Vodafone is looking to improve voice quality, becoming the latest company to introduce new HD technology.
i100: A single mother on benefits who became one of the world's most successful authors
11 rags-to-riches underdog success stories
Made of London Series
From Britpop royalty to champion cheesemaker. Alex James has said that he would like to make more music with Blur.
From medieval to ultramodern
Mons is embracing the future as it prepares for its role as next year’s European Capital of Culture, but it’s also steeped in intriguing history. Philip Sweeney explores its two sides
Expertly tailored
From sharp cuts to discerning details, an expertly tailored look requires careful curation. Along with a few well-chosen accessories...
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.