London: The England Cricket Board may be against releasing its centrally contracted players for the cash-rich Indian Premier League, but skipper Michael Vaughan feels it is only a matter of time before they join the best players from other countries in the Twenty20 competition.

The ECB has barred its centrally-contracted players from taking part in the lucrative league saying it clashes with the domestic county season.

But Vaughan feels the top England players will eventually end up playing in the IPL.

"We are naive to think England players aren't going to end up in the IPL. England players will end up in the IPL, whether it is next year or the year after," he said.

Vaughan's England team-mate Kevin Pietersen has already described ECB's decision as "ridiculous" but his skipper today supported him.

"(Twenty20) is a fantastic game to play, with massive crowds, and I think all players around the world love playing in it," Vaughan told BBC Sport.

The money on offer would also be a big pull for players, Vaughan felt.

"And also the money being thrown at players (by the IPL) -- people are naive if they don't think players are even going to think about it and potentially go and play in it."

The England players will be keeping an eye on how the league unfolds in its inaugural edition.

"It's a really exciting prospect to see how it's going to look. Everyone is waiting to see what kind of game's going to come across from the TV," he said.

Contrary to some concerns, Vaughan felt the IPL matches will not lack in intensity and more such initiatives will come up in the future.

"Is it going to have passion? I think it's going to have to with the amount of money that's being thrown at it.

"I'm sure there will be even more leagues set up around the world because Twenty20 is here to stay."

Pietersen is enamoured by the IPL, but was adamant he will not turn his back on England.   

"One of the thing that frustrates the England players is that we're the only country that are missing out," he said.

"Everybody wants to be involved in something so exciting -- you don't want to lag behind. But "I'm committed to England. I            ve got a lot more goals and ambitions to play for England," he added.

Source : PTI