England and Surrey have given Jason Roy their blessing to head to the USA and play in the inaugural Major League Cricket tournament this summer.
No longer an ECB centrally contracted player on a main deal, Roy will terminate his increment contract with the ECB and pay back pro-rata what is left on the £66,000 per year top-up on his county deal, in order to land a reported £300,000 two year deal with the LA Knight Riders.
Roy has just finished playing for the IPL’s Kolkata Knight Riders and so the tie up with their American satellite investment team is understandable for the 32-year-old.
And such is the boon for players in the modern game, the move will have no detrimental effect on Roy’s chances of helping England retain their 50-over World Cup crown, with boss Rob Key promising the Surrey man it will not impact international selection.
In a statement released on Thursday afternoon, Roy said: "Following a bit of unwanted speculation over the last 24 hours, I wanted to clarify that I am not and never will 'walk away from England.
"Representing my country continues to be my proudest moment as a professional cricketer. I hope to play for England for many more years, that remains my priority.
"I've had clear and supportive conversations with the ECB about participating in Major league Cricket. The ECB were happy with me to play in the competition as long as they didn't have to pay me for the remainder of the contractual year.
"As a single format player with no central contract I wanted to take the opportunity to play this competition as there are currently no scheduling conflicts with England. It benefits me as an England player to play as much competitive cricket as possible.
"Just to be very clear, my priority is England cricket, especially with a World Cup soon upon us. It is for me, and for any player, the greatest honour to receive a cap to play for their country.
In an official statement, the ECB added: "Jason Roy has informed the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) that he wishes to take up an agreement with Major League Cricket in the USA later this summer.
"The ECB have agreed for him to play in the competition on the proviso that he gives up the remainder of his ECB incremental contract, which both parties have agreed to.
"The ECB wish to clarify that this decision will not affect Jason’s selection for England teams going forward. We have absolute confidence and faith that Jason is committed to England cricket."
Dropped from England’s T20 World Cup winning side, Roy remains in their 50-over plans following his 11th and 12th ODI tons against South Africa and Bangladesh this year.
Technically contracted to Surrey all year round, Roy is a freelance cricketer in all but name and just like the 74 players who played in overseas leagues this winter is enjoying being able to double-dip for his salary.
In making the move, Roy will have played for no fewer than eight teams in the nine months between November last year and August this year.
To the two Knight Riders, England and Surrey could be added Deccan Gladiators in the Abu Dhabi T10, the Paarl Royals in the SA20, the Quetta Gladiators in the PSL and the Oval Invincibles in The Hundred.
Major League Cricket clashes with the County Championship and T20 Blast, meaning that Roy has been engaged in talks with the ECB with regards to retaining his eligibility to play for England.
The Major League Cricket tournament will run over three weeks in July, with the conclusion on July 30.
This coincides with the Ashes, which Roy was never expected to be in contention for, having last played a Test match in 2019. Following this are two ODI series against New Zealand and Ireland in August and September for which Roy remains in contention despite his decision.
IPL teams own four of the six MLC teams, with franchises in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Texas and Washington all propped up by their Indian counterparts. Roy's association with the Kolkata Knight Riders means that he will join their linked team in LA as cricket continues its global expansion amid the growing commercial power of white ball cricket.
