Michael Vaughan reckons Indian Premier League exposure gives England an edge in the bid to win a first major 50-over tournament when the Champions Trophy takes place this summer.
England's season will begin with games against Ireland at Bristol and Lord's on May 5 and 7, with IPL trio Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes excused.
The Indian 20-over competition features the world's top limited-overs stars and Vaughan says that cannot help but be a boost to England's prospects in the shorter formats.
The former England captain told Press Association Sport: "Playing in the IPL is a tremendous experience. It should've been done years ago.
"Kevin Pietersen was right. He was completely right in terms of saying the England players should've been allowed to play a lot more.
"I think it's going to move England on, I think it has. Most of the one-day team have been given this opportunity to play in (Australia's) Big Bash and now they've got the IPL.
"I think it just furthers their white-ball education. I can't see anything but positives.
"England players should be involved in these types of leagues and if it means they miss a couple of Ireland games, I'm all for it."
Captain Eoin Morgan, wicketkeeper-batsman Sam Billings and opener Jason Roy will report back from India for the Ireland games.
England named a 15-man squad on Tuesday for the Champions Trophy, which for the hosts begins against Bangladesh at The Oval on June 1, following a one-day international series with South Africa.
England reached the final in 2004 and 2013 when hosting the competition but Vaughan reckons the current squad, which includes new Test skipper Joe Root, are more capable of success.
He added: "The last two Champions Trophies here we've not had a great team and we've managed to sneak to the final by default, really. Whereas this team are a really good team.
"They've certainly got all the tools and ingredients to win, but you don't just win on paper.
"Joe Root said yesterday 'this is a great chance for England to win a tournament'. So they all know that they've got enough. It's just whether they can deliver."
India are the holders, but political posturing has placed some doubt on their participation.
Vaughan added: "I think it's becoming quite consistent that India flex their muscles at times.
"(But) they'll fancy their chances, so they'll certainly be here."
Vaughan is a big fan of the Twenty20 tournaments which have attracted players and new spectators alike.
And he welcomed news of the England and Wales Cricket Board's approval of the eight-team, city-based Twenty20 tournament, which will begin in 2020.
"The IPL's a massive success. That was created from nothing," said Vaughan, also referencing Australia's Big Bash and similar tournaments in South Africa, Pakistan and the Caribbean.
"They are new leagues that have been created from nothing and have been very successful. I do believe in the UK it was required.
"In T20 cricket, cricket has got a brand all people can relate to.
"Trying to educate a non-cricket fan by starting with Test cricket is hard. But you can easily explain a T20 game. If you can get them into the T20 door, hopefully that love of the game will drive them to watching the other formats."
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Source: PA
