Jason Roy closes on release from England central contract to play in US

Jason Roy is close to becoming the first current England international to sign up for the debut season of Major League Cricket in the United States, after being offered a two-year deal by Los Angeles Knight Riders. The 32-year-old is planning to negotiate his release from the central contract he has with the England and Wales Cricket Board to free himself to spend the final fortnight of July in America, before returning to play for Oval Invincibles in the Hundred.

Los Angeles Knight Riders share ownership with Kolkata Knight Riders, the Indian Premier League franchise for whom Roy played this season. If the move goes ahead he could play as many games for their various teams this year as he does for Surrey, which would represent a significant step on the much-discussed path towards year-round franchise contracts.

His county, however, expect to retain his primary allegiance, and Roy would play for them throughout their T20 Blast campaign. The MLC season starts on 13 July, two days before that competition’s semi-finals and final are contested at Edgbaston, and he would be forced to delay his departure if his side qualifies for those games. The MLC ends on 30 July, in time for players to get back for the start of the Hundred two days later.

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No English player can play in a foreign league without being issued with a No Objection Certificate by the ECB, and Roy is believed to have been told that he must cancel his central contract before the NOC will be granted. He is not the only player on such an ECB contract to have been contacted by MLC: David Willey has turned