Brit Oval hospitality news: Gladiators waiting on Franklin availability

23/02/2010

Gloucestershire Gladiators have admitted they are in the dark as to whether overseas star James Franklin will be available to play in front of cricket fans with Brit Oval hospitality tickets.

The Bristol outfit are set to face Surrey Lions in the Twenty20 Cup at the London venue on June 8th 2010, but it is looking increasingly likely that the New Zealand all-rounder's international commitments will force him to miss the match.

It was already known that Franklin, who is centrally contracted to the New Zealand Cricket Board (NZCB), would miss part of the season through Twenty20 World Cup appearances in May.

But he may miss more of the season as the NZCB has expressed its desire to play against Sri Lanka in Florida in May, while a controversial tour of Zimbabwe in June has also been given the green light.

Chief executive of the county Tom Richardson told the Bristol Evening Post that Gloucestershire will have to "wait and see" regarding the availability of the all-rounder.

"[The NZCB] are talking about these tours at present and nothing has been firmed up," he added.

Posted by Ted Walker