ALASTAIR Cook is confident his England team-mates will turn their backs on the Indian Premier League if they have to choose between the Twenty20 tournament and a central contract.

The 23-year-old opener has joined Michael Vaughan and Kevin Pietersen in expressing an interest in eventually playing in the IPL, but he would not jeopardise his international future.

An option for players is to reject central contracts with the England and Wales Cricket Board, a possibility Cook would not consider.

I can't see people turning their backs on playing for their country,'' he said. There is no greater thrill than scoring hundreds or taking wickets to win games.

Obviously financially it's better to play in the IPL but life is not all about money.

Money is important and you are only in the game a short period of time so if you can do both then it would be great. The schedules are so tight at the moment that it is just not possible.'' The IPL has overshadowed England's preparations for the series against New Zealand, with the first Test at Lord's on May 15.

The tourists have had their build-up disrupted by five players signing up for the IPL, such are the financial rewards on offer.

Cook admits the lure of India is exciting, yet not his own priority.

To play with Aussies, South Africans and Kiwis in one side together could be really exciting but first and foremost it's about England,'' he said. I definitely won't be changing. If you can do both it would be great, but England comes first.

Twenty20 has changed cricket in many ways but the benchmark is Test cricket and I can't see that changing for a long time.'' Despite the disruption the tourists have faced, Cook is still expecting a stern examination if they are to record back-toback series wins over the Kiwis.

We're not taking them lightly because most sessions in the winter against them were very competitive,'' he said. We managed to win the crucial ones.

They may not have the household names of Australia and South Africa but there are talented cricketers coming over with a point to prove away from home."