Andrew Flintoff warns of being left behind if denied IPL

Andrew Flintoff has responded to a demoralising series defeat against India by warning that England will be left behind in one-day cricket if players do not get the opportunity to test their skills in the Indian Premier League.

As England, 4-0 down with three games to play, prepare for another stern examination in Cuttack tomorrow, Flintoff has joined his England team-mate and closest buddy, Steve Harmison, in stressing the benefits that the IPL Twenty20 competition have brought to the world's leading one-day players. The message could not be clearer, both for the ECB chief executive, David Collier, who will continue negotiations with IPL representatives during the Champions League in India next week, and for the England coach, Peter Moores, whose recommendations about how much England players should be released will bear most weight.

"We've come against a strong, strong side," Flintoff said. "They have outplayed us in every department. They look very well drilled. I think that by playing a shorter form of the game they have developed new skills with bat and ball and we've been found wanting. They have definitely taken their game forward.

"They scored 380-odd in the first game - and with proper batting as well. It was a tremendous display of hitting and they are obviously very confident. You look at the way their guys hit the ball and the rate they score, especially in the middle overs where they knock it around and still find boundaries. Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma have developed skills like slower balls and yorkers and I'm sure playing the shorter form has developed those skills.

"A few of the England players are keen to go to the IPL. One thing that has been mentioned is financial reward but I think you look at players' development as well. With the Twenty20 World Cup coming and a lot more one-day cricket it would be good if the lads had a chance to play in it."

Harmison had pressed home the same point. "The danger for England is that, if our players are not involved in the IPL, we could get left far behind," he said. "Batsmen are no longer content to look for 260-275 as par scores. They are now looking for a minimum of 290-300 every time."

The issue for England is the May Test programme. The identity of the tourists remains a mystery but the ECB has no intention of abandoning May Test cricket to the advance of IPL. Next year Flintoff and Co will get a fortnight at the IPL at best and they may argue that there is not a huge amount that can be learned in that time.