Warne declines ICL offer

Shane Warne will not play in the Indian Cricket League (ICL) but has not ruled out taking part in a proposed Twenty20 tournament sanctioned by the game's governing bodies. Warne sent a letter to the ICL on Wednesday declining its offer - reported to be worth A$900,000 a season - after he decided joining the group could be detrimental to Australian cricket.

"Shane had a tremendous send-off last year, Cricket Australia were unbelievable and he feels he has another 30 years with the game and he wants to keep on side with officialdom," Warne's manager James Erskine told the Australian. "He wants and needs to protect his standing in the game and the respect for his achievements."

The paper said the Indian board had asked Warne to play in an official Twenty20 league that would have ICC approval, however Erskine did not confirm if Warne intended to take part. Details are being hastily arranged by national boards but the broad idea is for the top Twenty20 sides in domestic competitions to compete in a Champions League-style format. It is likely that teams would be able to recruit international stars to boost their squads.

The Age reported that the top sides would eventually represent regions, such as Australasia, and two New Zealand teams would join Australia's domestic Twenty20 competition. However, a Cricket Australia spokesman told the paper it was too early to be discussing such details.

Victoria are so far undefeated in Australia's Twenty20 tournament and their coach, Greg Shipperd, said the Champions League concept was an excellent idea. "We've been promised that this was going to happen for a couple of years, and we've been itching to have a go and get involved from a team perspective," he said in the Age. "We would love to be playing at an international level, albeit not for your country."