We have bought you stories about the APL from time to time, about how Pak players have roped in for the APL and about the dire warnings that have been issued against any association with the APL. This is an as yet unauthorised league that has had many in international cricket, particularly the ICC sound warnings against it advising member counties to issue warnings to their players not to allow them to be linked with the APL.

Richard Hadlee former Kiwi all rounder has reportedly been asked to come aboard the APL, which he has done according to recent cricket new reports. Hadlee was reported as having said, "As an ambassador and executive consultant of the APL, I am delighted to be involved with this event. The APL brings a different format of the game to the USA - namely Twenty20 - with top-class players from around the world participating. This should be the best possible way in which to sell cricket to America's sport-loving people."

And not only Hadlee but also other Kiwi players have been contacted by the APL which is promoted by Jay Mir, American entrepreneur and the American Sports And Entertainment Group Inc. The American Premier League is proposed to be held in October on a converted baseball field in Staten Island according to earlier reports.

Heath Mills who heads the New Zealand Cricket Players Association, said that certain Kiwi players had been contacted, however none among those who are currently playing for the country. "I am aware that they are targeting some New Zealand players but they're guys who are playing in the ICL or other competitions around the world. I'm not aware of them identifying any current New Zealand players or any players playing in our domestic competitions," he said.

Mills made a very good point when he said, "One area of concern for the administrators might be if the ICL did continue and this American league did get up and running ... then you would effectively start to have a meaningful series of events throughout the year as an alternative to the current programme of international cricket."

It now appears that there are several contenders who are offering competition to conventional international cricket as we know it, and the ICC and its cohorts would do well to heed this trend rather than treat they have the ICL so far; rather like a truant child to be chastised. The APL is a sign of things to come and the sooner the powers that be accept this fact, the better it is.

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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