Justin Langer
Somerset captain Justin Langer has pulled out of the lucrative Indian Premier League and warned other players not to be tempted by the mind-boggling sums being offered.
The 105-Test veteran fetched one of the lowest auction prices of about £94,000 - compared to India's MS Dhoni's £700,000 for the 44-day tournament - from the Jaipur franchise in last week's player auction and rejected the offer.
Langer said: "Before the auction, I don't know if many people anticipated what an issue these massive player payments would become.
"But when you see how much money is being paid out, I think we have to be very careful to protect the integrity of the game.
"A few days ago, playing for Australia would have been the main goal for just about every young player in the country. Now that might not be the case.
"When you go to your grave, people will remember what you did with your life rather than how much money you made."
Langer's former Australia team-mate, Glamorgan-bound paceman Jason Gillespie, has already rejected his IPL contract.
And Nottinghamshire's David Hussey admits his auction price, £318,000, has proved "distracting" to his recent domestic performances.
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JONATHAN PEARCE
ALEC STEWART
THE MOLE