The ECB are poised to block centrally contracted England players from playing in the inaugural Major League Cricket competition.
America's first franchise league of its kind is set to take place at the height of the English cricketing summer from July 13-30 in Dallas.
Emerging T20 franchise leagues have provided fresh opportunities for English players to earn lucrative sums abroad, and the launch of the MLC could have a transformative effect on the growth of the sport Stateside.