April 19, 2008	Saturday	Rabi-us-Sani 12, 1429

LONDON, April 18: Kevin Pietersen has insisted England players’ interest in appearing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is not a sign of disloyalty but something “anyone in their right mind” would consider seriously.

It has been reported that Pietersen, the most gifted batsman currently in the England side, was offered a seven-figure sum to take part in the inaugural IPL, a domestic Twenty20 tournament in India, which began on Friday.

But all centrally-contracted England players have been barred from this year’s edition because the IPL clashes with both the start of the English domestic and home international seasons.

Chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Giles Clarke has also expressed reservations about centrally contracted players featuring in next year’s IPL and running the risk of injury ahead of the 2009 Ashes.

Pietersen, who has previously labelled talk of a ban on the involvement of England players in the IPL as “ridiculous”, said on Thursday: “I don’t see anything wrong with saying we want to go and play and earn that kind of money.

“People who nail us for it are not going to pay for my child’s school fees in 15 years’ time. You have to look after yourself because you are not going to be playing cricket when you are 50 or 60.

“To be offered the kind of money I have been offered, it is ridiculous for someone to abuse you about it. It is like winning the lottery and anybody in their right mind would go for it,” added Pietersen.—AFP