ICC denies Stanford black bats an issue

Reports that the multi-million dollar deal between Allen Stanford and the ECB is under threat because of problems with Stanford's black bats were dismissed as "rubbish" by an ICC spokesman.

It was claimed that Stanford's trademark black bats, which are central to his marketing strategy, would be outlawed by the ICC and, as a result, he would withdraw his offer to put up to US$100 million into matches in the Caribbean and London.

However, matches played by Stanford are not under the jurisdiction of the ICC, who oversee international cricket, and, as such, the sides involved can agree to their own playing conditions and amendments to the laws.

The Times quoted a source close to negotiations between the ECB and Stanford as saying that "we have been told that the ICC put forward this recommendation about the colour of the blades at the request of the BCCI". The ICC spokesman pointed out that coloured bats were not even discussed by the cricket committee.