Broad set for England return and IPL action

Cape Town : Stuart Broad has taken the first step towards playing in next year's Indian Premier League and possibly landing a $750,000 (Dh2.76 million) deal.

He turned down the chance to play in last year's IPL, preferring to concentrate on preparing for the Ashes. But Broad's representatives have made contact with IPL chairman Lalit Modi to begin the process of signing for one of the eight franchises.

Providing he gains clearance from the England and Wales Cricket Board, he will be added to the list of players on sale at the third IPL auction in Mumbai on January 19 when one-year deals worth a maximum of $750,000 will be on offer.

"We have had contact from Craig [Sackfield, Broad's agent] and all players now have to write to me directly and arrange an NOC [no objection certificate] from their board by December 31," Modi said.

"Then we will fix a minimum bid price and circulate their names to the franchises.

"A lot of the slots are taken but teams will probably be able to hire one or two players.

The England players in Bangladesh will miss the first 10 days but the Australians and New Zealanders are unavailable until much later so that's not a problem.

Involvement

"There is a good chance of a lot of England players being involved." It is thought that up to four franchises are interested in signing Broad, meaning that a bidding war could hike up his value. Sackfield confirmed: "I have made initial contact as regards to all of my players, Luke Wright, James Anderson and Stuart Broad. We just want to see what the situation is and what they have to do."

— The Telegraph Group Limited, London, 2009