McCullum's freelancer attempt cooked Flintoff's goose: report

Brendon McCullum and not Andrew Flintoff was the first who wanted to turn freelancer to play in the entire Indian Premier League II and the Kiwi had in the process inadvertently jeopardised the England allrounders future in the IPL according to a report IPL authorities made an amendment to the tournament laws two weeks ago in order to prevent players from trying to become free agents by rejecting contracts from their national boards in order to play in the more lucrative Twenty20 league thanks to McCullum IPL commissioner Lalit Modi said that a loophole in the system that McCullum tried to exploit to become a free agent had been shut down during a meeting on September 2 Not only the retired players but also those who do not have central contracts will now need NOCs from their home boards which now cooked the goose for Flintoff who rejected an incremental contract offer from England and Wales Cricket Board to turn freelancer u00a0England allrounder Andrew FlintoffMcCullum was trying to become a free agent threatening not to sign a New Zealand Cricket Board central contract he wanted to play in the entire IPL and there was a loophole there but that loophole was closed during our meeting on September 2 when we introduced a new amendment for players who dont have a national contract Modi was quoted as saying by Sydney Morning Herald Where the requirement of a NOC by their home boards applied only to retired players McCullums attempt forced organisers to rewrite the law so that NOCs are now also required by any player without a national contract The new amendment reads that international players need NOCs from their home boards for two years postretirementnot in contract We want to ensure people continue to play for their countries Nobody is going to budge on the NOC issue it was designed so players do not try to become free agents The intent was very clear but now the rule is absolutely airtight players cant pick and choose whether to play for their countries Modi said McCullum eventually agreed to sign a national contract but his effort to turn free agent has now dashed Flintoffs hopes of becoming a freelance cricketer for limitedovers sides around the globe including in the IPL where he has a 155 contract with Chennai Super Kings rather than compete in all of Englands fixtures He has clearance to play with them next year the final year of his contract through a twoyear NoObjection Certificate issued by the ECB last year but any participation in 2011 will depend on whether the English board grants Flintoff another NOCFlintoff must receive an NOC from the England board if he wants to play in the IPL there is no question Modi has said to clear the air