Wellington, December 30:

Six former New Zealand cricket representatives who took part in a rebel Indian league this month have effectively been barred from a return to national selection.

Without making a direct order, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has strongly suggested its selectors never again consider Chris Cairns, Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Daryl Tuffey, Chris Harris and Hamish Marshall. Chief executive Justin Vaughan said NZC did not support the rebel Twenty20 league.

Of the six, Tuffey and the Harris are the only players still playing domestic cricket in New Zealand and only Tuffy realistically had a chance of making the national team. Cairns, Astle and McMillan have retired over the past two seasons while Marshall abandoned his contract this year to play English county cricket.