August 25, 2007	Saturday	Sha’aban 11, 1428

WELLINGTON, Aug 24: The New Zealand Cricket’s (NZC) Chief Executive Justin Vaughan has advised Stephen Fleming against signing with the Indian Cricket League (ICL) as the NZC finalises its official position on the series.

It is likely that Fleming’s national contract would be terminated if he agreed to captain one of the ICL squads and Vaughan said Fleming deserved better.

Vaughan contacted Fleming, who is in England representing Nottinghamshire, this week with some friendly words of advice.

“I just said to him this is not in the best interest of New Zealand cricket,” Vaughan told the Dominion Post. “I believe a player of his stature and whose legacy is so magnificent deserves better ways. I’ve spoken more as a friend, as a friend who happens to be the chief executive of the NZC.”

Vaughan said the NZC was still deciding on its official stance regarding the ICL, which has been linked to Fleming, Chris Harris, Chris Cairns and Nathan Astle, but he strongly hinted that players with domestic or national contracts would not be allowed to take part.

“The NZC board needs to come up with a concrete policy on how to approach this,” Vaughan said.

“Obviously it is an unsanctioned by the ICC and unofficial tournament so that is fully clear, but we need to have a policy to work with. You would have to say it is in the best interests of New Zealand to be a strong member of the ICC family because out of that relationship we derive significant amounts of our income. So to disassociate ourselves from the ICC would not be a sensible move,” Vaughan expressed.—Agencies