Respective boards should decide on match stipulations: Fleming

Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming doesn't feel that it is upto the respective cricket boards of the countries to decide whether there should be a stipulation on the number of matches each player should play.

"It is upto the individual boards to decide about bringing stipulations on the number of matches. I don't think there should be club vs country here. If the boards are not happy with the amount of cricket being played they should put stipulations on it," Fleming told reporters when asked about players like Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag aggravating their injuries before an important international series. The former New Zealand skipper admitted that it is difficult for players to say "No" to IPL.

"It is hard for the players to say no. Each game is important. As a professional cricketer, it is one's responsibility to play. IPL has value for the BCCI as it is not a competition that is played in off-shore. It is a genuine cricket tournament and it is important to the Indian landscape," he stated.

Fleming praised CSK's top Indian stars like Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Suresh Raina who always want to be in the thick of things.

"I see real passion for the Indian players wanting to play in this tournament. My skipper (Dhoni) and Raina are good examples of that.

They want to keep playing cricket even after the World Cup final. It is very hard to stop players from playing. I do not think that they play for financial rewards. I think it is their desire to competing and keep doing well," he concluded.

For Fleming, it was a huge relief that they were straight into the final after playing the first qualifier.

"It is a huge relief that we made the final because these are pressure games. Playing back-to-back games in Chennai can be very tough. Relieved that we have got across the line against a good side. It was a great game and we showed a lot of character towards the end."

Asked whether Albie Morkel's performance, Fleming said,"Just one knock does not justify that. He has a lot of good things. He has taken 14 wickets. He has given his best efforts number of times and if he does not get on to the final, we will be surprised."