Alastair Cook has pledged his future to England and only England as the bidding for the Indian Premier League (IPL) gets under way today. Even if the ICC agrees to a window exclusively for the lucrative new Twenty20 competition, the opening batsman says that he is more likely to rest than to cash in during the years ahead.

Eight franchises will be forming their squads from some of the leading players in the world at what amounts to an auction before the tournament that runs from April 18 to June 1. Although it has been sanctioned by the ICC, the IPL is already creating friction in Australia between leading players and officials.

England are unique among the Test-playing countries because the domestic season runs from April to September and about four months each winter are also taken up with commitments abroad. But if a period of up to six weeks or so is cleared by all countries, then England players may become attractive to the franchises.

Four of the New Zealand side expected to play in the one-day international at Napier that began last night []have signed and will earn a minimum of $150,000 (about £77,000), but Cook said that the competition is not discussed within the England squad. “We are well looked after by England and I do not see why we would trade that in,” he said. “When I was 10, I dreamt about playing for England and now I am very happy with what I am doing. When you walk out there with Three Lions on your chest - that is bigger than anything.

“If the ICC open the window, then powers higher than me would make that decision but I am not sure they would want a little blocker from Essex to play Twenty20. I would see that period of four or six weeks, if it happens, as an ideal time to get away from cricket.”

Peter Moores, the head coach, believes that Cook's attitude is the consensus. “Every player has worked hard to get this far and they are proud to play for their country,” he said. “I hope that the rewards now are such that there is also a good financial incentive to stay within the England team.”

Centrally-contracted players have their time managed by the ECB, but whether the board would block opportunities with the IPL if there is no direct clash of dates is a moot point. Leading England players who feature in all games in Test and one-day formats can earn up to £500,000 per year, on top of commercial spin-offs. But the concern is that those coming towards the end of their careers will find IPL money more attractive for a far shorter and less onerous commitment.

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