Broad chooses rest ahead of IPL

Stuart Broad has decided not to put his name forward for the second IPL auction

Stuart Broad has opted not to put his name forward for the Indian Premier League, although 13 England players will be entered into the February 6 auction.

Nottinghamshire all-rounder Broad, 22, declined the opportunity to feature in the three-week window in April, preferring to rest ahead of a summer incorporating the Ashes and the World Twenty20.

However, eight of the dozen centrally-contracted players have been granted no objection certificates by the England and Wales Cricket Board, in addition to five of those on increment contracts.

"Stuart has done terrifically well since he got into the England set-up," said Hugh Morris, managing director England Cricket. "He is still gaining experience at this level.

"He feels as though it is important at this particular stage that he may need a rest and that is absolutely respected by us. It has been very much down to a player's decision.

"The IPL, as we know, is a fantastic opportunity for the players. Potentially, with the World Twenty20 happening in England at the beginning of the summer, it is nice for some of our players to have the opportunity to play some more Twenty20 cricket.

"We probably haven't played as much as some players from other countries."

Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen are expected to be snapped up by IPL franchises while the other six willing to go forward to the ballot are James Anderson, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Steve Harmison, Monty Panesar and Ryan Sidebottom.

Left-arm spinner and crowd favourite Monty Panesar is hoping for a stint in the IPL

"The players that are going there are going to be playing with and against some of the best players in the world in what we see as a very high-profile and a very important tournament," Morris added.

"Players will prepare in different ways for this summer. Stuart has chosen to prepare one way and others have chosen a different route.

"That is not to say that all the players going through to the auction will be picked up by franchises."

Ravi Bopara, Samit Patel, Owais Shah, Graeme Swann and Luke Wright form the quintet of players on increment contracts fancying a spell on the subcontinent ahead of the 2009 summer.

Initial expressions of interest have to be in with the Board of Control for Cricket in India on January 30 and that list will be shortened to those proceeding to the auction.

The ECB is able to sign NOCs up until February 4, should franchises express interest.

Meanwhile, any players controlled from Lord's rather than their counties will be required to pass a fitness test before engaging in a deal.