England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) stand-in director Andy Flower says participation in the Indian Premier League hinders many "growth opportunities" for the country's players in first-class cricket. As many as 12 England players, including Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes and Jos Buttler, featured in this year's IPL. "The ECB position, at the moment, is to allow some of our best players to go to the IPL. Flower said, "(By playing in the IPL) They do miss out on some really excellent growth opportunities in first-class cricket for their counties. Flower, who is standing in for Andrew Strauss as England team director, feels the domestic programme has to improve if England were to produce players better prepared for international cricket.

Source: dna May 26, 2018 17:02 UTC