Cricket: IPL expansion an opportunity for NZ players

A planned expansion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) may create more opportunities for New Zealand cricketers to join the lucrative Twenty/20 tournament.

A bidding process for two extra franchises has started and IPL chairman Lalit Modi wants to see the competition increased to 10 teams for next year.

New Zealand Cricket Players' Association (NZCPA) director Heath Mills told NZPA today that an increased number of teams "would suggest there would be more opportunities for the guys".

However, he added there was no certainty New Zealanders would benefit.

"We haven't really got a lot of players in the IPL compared to other countries so it's not a foregone conclusion more players will be signed." Daniel Vettori, Shane Bond, Brendon McCullum, Jacob Oram and Ross Taylor are the only New Zealand players scheduled to play in this year's IPL, starting next week.

This season's IPL has been under a cloud due to security concerns, with many international players yet to signal whether they will be going to India.

The security situation was improving and it looked "more and more likely they (the New Zealanders) will go," Mills said.

He said each player would make their decision on an individual basis after receiving security advice from the NZCPA.

New Zealand players involved in the upcoming two-test series against Australia will not need to make a decision for another two or three weeks although Bond, who has retired from test cricket, will probably have to make a decision by this weekend.

Bond was signed a $US750,000 ($NZ1.07 million) deal to play for the Kolkata Knight Riders.

If the Canterbury fast bowler decided to go he would be able to give the other players a good view of how security was on the ground, Mills said.