Dean Jones keen to sign stars to Indian Cricket League

Dean Jones: "We're not trying to be a competitor to the BCCI" © Getty Images Enlarge

Dean Jones, the Indian Cricket League's operations manager, said the organisers of the new Twenty20 competition had drawn up a "hit list" of current and former players they hoped to sign up. Jones would not rule out trying to attract stars like Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath, but said: "We haven't got as much money as some people think".

He said the tournament would be another option for international players who could not get an English county contract. "It will fill a bit of a void for some of the international players around the world," Jones told The Australian.

"There are always concerns about Australians playing county cricket because they play so much, but there will be openings for them to play in our matches. A) they can earn some extra money and, b) it won't be as taxing on their bodies. There are a few lining up."

The ICL, which was set up by Zee Sports, is set to hold its first matches in early November. Jones said the group was not out to compete with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). "We won't be playing matches at the same time they will be," Jones said. "We'll carefully schedule our matches and the times we are playing.

"We're not trying to be a competitor to the BCCI - far from it. If India saw a couple of young lads playing really well in our tournament and they needed them for an Indian A tour or even the India team, we'd welcome the BCCI with open arms and say 'you can have him'. That's what it's all about."