ICL forces Law to be cricket's 'leper'

Updated on: 31 January,2009 08:27 AM IST |
Robert Craddock |

Stuart Law is angry at being treated like a cricket "leper" in Australia after his links with the Indian Cricket League (ICL) stopped him landing a prized coaching post.

Stuart Law is angry at being treated like a cricket "leper" in Australia after his links with the Indian Cricket League (ICL) stopped him landing a prized coaching post.

Law plays for Chennai Superstars, whose players are banned from mainstream cricket in most countries because, unlike the Indian Premier League, their competition is not sanctioned by the ICC.

Law, staying faithful to his ICL contract, reluctantly rejected the Cricket Australia coaching offer.

Former South Australia batsman David Fitzgerald has been appointed instead.

Law's chances were also hindered by the fact the COE wanted Law on a full-time basis and would not have been prepared to release him for several months a year to play cricket legal or not.

But like fellow ICL rebel Jason Gillespie who has been rejected for a part-time COE role, the main problem was his link to the ICL.

"I have been retired from first-class cricket in Australia since 2004," said Law.

"I was initially told the ICL should not be a problem, but when I was offered the job I was told I had to severe all ties with India.

"I can't see what the problem is. If the ICL was pinching young players like Alister McDermott to play then I could understand CA getting upset about it.

"But guys who haven't played Shield cricket for a number of years... what's the problem? The International Cricket Council are trying to sort this out and the ICL is happy to talk but the IPL are making us lepers in the community."

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