ECB Rules Sideline Duo After Appearance in Unsanctioned Goa Veterans Tournament

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

Veteran cricketers Peter Siddle and Samit Patel have been ruled out of the upcoming T20 Blast after participating in an unsanctioned veterans league in Goa earlier this year.

The decision stems from regulations set by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), which prohibit players from competing in county cricket if they have played in any “disapproved cricket” within 12 months prior to the season. Both players featured in the World Legends Pro T20 League held between January and February—an event not approved by the Board of Control for Cricket in India, making it ineligible under ECB guidelines.

At 41, Siddle had signed with Nottinghamshire as an overseas player for the 2026 Blast season. However, the county confirmed his withdrawal, citing “personal circumstances.” Director of cricket Mick Newell expressed disappointment but stated that the club would move quickly to secure a replacement ahead of the tournament.

Nottinghamshire had already bolstered their squad with additions like Benny Howell and George Munsey. However, uncertainty remains around their other overseas recruit, South African all-rounder George Linde, who is currently involved in the IPL with Lucknow Super Giants and could miss the early stages if the franchise advances to the playoffs.

Meanwhile, Patel—also 41—has effectively ended his hopes of featuring in this year’s Blast. After leaving Derbyshire at the conclusion of last season, he had been actively seeking a new county contract. Following the ECB’s directive, Patel confirmed he will not pursue opportunities in the competition this summer.

Patel’s absence marks the end of a remarkable streak. Alongside Ravi Bopara, he is one of only two players to have participated in every edition of the T20 Blast since its inception in 2003. Bopara recently stepped away from county cricket, focusing instead on coaching and media commitments.

This development highlights the strict enforcement of ECB regulations regarding unsanctioned leagues, reinforcing the importance of board approvals in maintaining eligibility for domestic competitions.