ECB regulations state that players are ineligible to play county cricket if they have featured in any “disapproved cricket” in the 12 months before the start of a given season. Siddle and Patel both featured in the World Legends Pro T20 League in January-February, which is considered ‘disapproved’ as it was not sanctioned by the BCCI.

Siddle, 41, was due to play in the Blast as an overseas player for Nottinghamshire, but the county confirmed on Tuesday that his deal is now off citing his “personal circumstances”. Mick Newell, Nottinghamshire’s director of cricket, said the club were “naturally disappointed” but will look to replace Siddle.

Notts have strengthened for this year’s Blast with the signings of Benny Howell and George Munsey, but may be without their other overseas player – South Africa’s George Linde – for the opening stages of the Blast. Linde was recently signed by Lucknow Super Giants as a replacement at the IPL, and could miss the start of the Blast if LSG reach the play-offs.

Patel, meanwhile, has been out of contract since he left Derbyshire at the end of last year’s Blast. He had been actively seeking a county but confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that he has accepted the ECB’s directive and has given up his hopes of featuring in the competition this summer.