ANDREW Flintoff has made an urgent plea for England's players to be allowed time to experience the Indian Premier League and help sharpen their skills for the next World Cup.

The Lancashire all-rounder would be regarded as one of the hottest properties if England chose to release their players to allow them to play in the world's most lucrative Twenty20 tournament.

Flintoff and captain Kevin Pietersen could command massive salaries should they be given permission to play by the England and Wales Cricket Board and strengthen their already massive appeal in India.

But the 30-year-old Lancastrian also believes there would be other benefits to members of England's squad competing in the IPL by helping to develop skills which could be vital to a successful World Cup campaign in 2011 being staged in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

"A few of our lads are keen to play in the IPL and there has been a lot of talk about the financial rewards of it but I think by playing in it players will develop as well," he said.

"It's not just the Indian players that have developed, the West Indians that have played over here have also developed like Chris Gayle, who have moved their games forward.

Chance

"We have a Twenty20 World Cup coming up and a lot more one-day international cricket and if the lads get a chance to go I think it will help them."

England are still in discussions with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding the release of players for next year's IPL tournament, which runs from April 10 to May 29, in return for India's top players featuring in the England Premier League starting in 2010.

Because of commitments to a home Test series starting on May 7, probably against West Indies, England's players are unlikely to be given more than a couple of weeks to savour the atmosphere and competition of the IPL playing alongside players like Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni and Shane Warne.

But Flintoff believes any exposure the players receive to sub-continent conditions and skills can only help their bid to triumph in 2011 and become the first England side to lift the World Cup.

"Some of the lads have not played a great deal in India, or played in front of this type of crowds with the attention on cricket you get over here," he explained.

"The World Cup is over here in a few years' time so the more opportunities to play out here and develop your skills on these type of wickets, the more it will be beneficial to us."

England will train in Cuttack today for the first time prior to tomorrow's day-night encounter at the Barabati Stadium.

Sussex all-rounder Luke Wright may be recalled while Steve Harmison is expected to take over from Lancashire's James Anderson.

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