England stars get go-ahead to play in IPL

England's top cricketers will be able to cash in by playing in this year's Indian Premier League.

Stars such as Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff missed out on megabucks deals last April because the IPL clashed with the start of the English season and there were fears they might miss out again.

But the England Cricket Board have agreed to release their Test players for 21 days and specialist limited-over stars for 28 days — a compromise which IPL boss Lalit Modi is ready to accept, despite recently insisting four weeks' availability would be the minimum requirement for a tournament running from 10 April to late May.

The move has prompted members of the squad to sign central contracts which were first offered in September.

All-rounder Paul Collingwood said: "They have been signed by the players and we are waiting on the IPL to comeback with confirmation."