(Photo: Getty Images)

By Adam Ellis

Yorkshire are leading calls to create a transfer window system between counties and IPL franchises after losing Liam Plunkett and David Willey to the T20 mega-event just days before the start of the County Championship.

Director of cricket Martyn Moxon told TCP recently that Willey was set to become the cornerstone of Yorkshire’s bowling attack in red-ball competition, after the retirement of fellow left-arm bowler Ryan Sidebottom last season.

But the England ODI and T20 star has been snapped up by Chennai Super Kings as injury cover for Kedar Jadhav, while Yorkshire team-mate Plunkett joined Delhi Daredevils in place of the injured Kagiso Rabada.

“We find ourselves in an impossible situation with these late replacement requests,” Moxon told Yorkshire’s official website.

“At the moment, we are potentially looking at a situation where if we deny a player an opportunity, we will be left with someone who is not completely focused on playing for Yorkshire. This would be counter-productive.

“There are now 12 English players in this year’s IPL, so the issue goes further than just here at Headingley.”

Moxon added that a meeting had been quickly arranged with other county heads to discuss a ‘cut-off date’ that will block moves by IPL franchises close to the start of the domestic season.

“I will be chairing a meeting with other directors of cricket at Edgbaston to discuss the future of the game,” the former Yorkshire and England batsman explained.

“With the number of domestic T20 contracts available worldwide, it is important that we future-proof the County Championship.

“I will be calling for the introduction of a cut-off date, after which players will not be allowed to go to the IPL. Hopefully this can gain national approval and be supported by the ECB.”