Former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie has described a decision not to allow him to coach in his homeland because of his ties to the unrecognised Indian Cricket League as "insane".
Cricket Australia had asked Gillespie to coach at their centre of excellence in Brisbane, only to then revoke that offer because of his contract with ICL team Ahmedabad Rockets.
"It doesn't make sense," Gillespie told The Australian. "It's come from Cricket Australia that people involved with the ICL aren't going to be able to do any coaching at the centre of excellence."
He added: "Just about everyone I've spoken to thinks the ban is insane.
"Why aren't we being looked at favourably? It's as if I'm supporting apartheid. I'm just playing a game of cricket, and a good game of cricket."
CA confirmed its stance as a matter to alienate rebel leagues such as the ICL, and denied speculation the decision had been made under pressure from the Board Of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The BCCI originally asked other national associations to enforce bans on ICL players, after the rebel league was set up in competition to their own ICC-recognised Indian Premier League.
It is no secret the BCCI hold much financial clout in world cricket, but a CA spokesman denied Gillespie's ban was a decision made to keep them onside.
The spokesman said: "It is not an issue about Jason Gillespie. Everyone thinks Jason Gillespie is a terrific fella.
"And it's not an issue about India. It's an issue about a long-held principle of not supporting unauthorised competitions."
