Melbourne: Cricket Australia (CA) has softened its stand on the Indian Premier League (IPL) and is now willing to renegotiate Future Tours Programme (FTP) to accommodate the Twenty20 extravaganza in the calendar.

CA has given indications that they are open to the idea of shifting matches on the International Cricket Council's FTP, which has been outlined until 2012.

'James Sutherland (CA CEO) is willing to participate in discussion and debate about creating a window in the FutureTours Programme so players can play in the IPL, as long as it isa window that recognises the genuine interests of the FTP andall 10 ICC nations,' CA spokesman Peter Young said.

CA, however, remains embroiled in a dispute with the IPL over players contractual obligations.

'We are still of the view that (the contract disagreement) is capable of resolution. It's going to betough, but we believe we can get through,' Young was quoted assaying in Sydney Morning Herald .

When the cricket boards meet next week in Kuala Lumpur to finalise future tour arrangements, IPL is expected to figure prominently in the discussion.
Source : PTI