Counties To Resolve Player Issue

Following the unveiling of the new Champions League, English county cricket sides are demanding clarification on player eligibility for the tournament.

The counties are looking for confirmation from Indian authorities regarding players with connections to the rebel Indian Cricket League – originally set up as a rival to the lucrative Indian Premier League which was held last month.

Indian Premier League commissioner Lalit Modi has said any team fielding unsanctioned ICL players will be excluded from the new Twenty20 Champions League tournament to be held in the autumn and could face legal action if this ruling is breached.

Cricket Australia will reveal the tournament’s rules and regulations in Dubai on 29th June, which is worth almost £2.5m to the winners and features domestic sides from England, India, Australia and South Africa.
 
The issue of the rebel Indian Cricket League players operating in English cricket has been an ongoing problem for the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Only three counties have squads which have no ICL connections – Somerset, Essex and Middlesex.

Another issue which needs clarification is team priority if a player has been involved with two or more teams involved in the Champions League.

BCCI vice-chairman chairman Modi has said any cricketer signed up for an IPL side must honour the Indian team’s contract first and foremost.

England is the only one of the four participating nations not to have finalised their entrants. The two finalists of the domestic Twenty20 Cup at the Rose Bowl on 26th July will be put forward against the best 20-over sides from Australia, India and South Africa.