LONDON: Nottinghamshire have given India’s VVS Laxman time until Friday to decide whether he will represent the county this season.

Laxman had earlier agreed to sign until the end of the season but the BCCI is refusing to sanction the move after it “advised” its own contracted players not to play for counties with players linked to the rebel Indian Cricket League.

Mick Newell, the Nottinghamshire director of cricket, said he had spoken to two other players in line to replace Laxman. “I’ve spoken to two players and we need to contact them again if he doesn’t come,” Newell told BBC Radio Nottingham. “I’d like to know by this Friday,” he said.

Laxman, currently with the Indian Test team for a three-match series in Sri Lanka, was set to join the county in August as a replacement for Adam Voges, the Western Australian batsman. But the restriction imposed by the BCCI could also affect leg-spinner Piyush Chawla’s plans of joining Hampshire. Ajit Agarkar, the fast bowler, has already called off talks with Worcestershire.