England cricketers could feature in IPL 2009

London, May 28 : England cricketers could feature in next year's Indian Premier League, as the event will now not clash with their tour of the West Indies.

A number of players, including star batsman Kevin Pietersen, had expressed their frustration at being held back from playing in the mega-bucks Twenty20 tournament this year, but with England's trip to the Caribbean ending a week before the IPL first game on April 10, 2009, a compromise may yet be found, reports The Sun.

One reason for the early conclusion to the tour could be the World Twenty20 that runs from June 5-21 in England.

With no domestic Twenty20 before that tournament, England's best bet of getting players ready for the newest form of the game could be allowing short-term deals in the IPL.

The tour of West Indies will kick-off with two three-day practice matches, before Test matches in Jamaica, Antigua, Barbados and Trinidad. There will also be a Twenty20 fixture, England's first in the Caribbean, and five one-day internationals.

ANI