McCullum in demand for Champions League

New South Wales could fork out US$250,000 to secure Brendon McCullum for October's Champions Twenty20 League after his New Zealand domestic team, Otago, were announced as one of the extra sides in the expanded tournament. The Blues are likely to lose David Warner to his IPL franchise, Delhi Daredevils, for the two-week event and would view McCullum as a strong replacement.

McCullum made a controversial fly-in appearance for New South Wales in the Twenty20 final against Victoria in January so he could qualify for the Blues. McCullum and Warner are among a group of players who have reached the Champions League through two teams and must therefore decide which side to represent.

Should Warner choose Delhi Daredevils, the franchise would need to pay New South Wales compensation, as would the Blues to Otago if they signed McCullum. David Gilbert, the chief executive of Cricket New South Wales, said if they received money for Warner they would consider making Otago an offer.

"There is no doubt having Brendon McCullum in your team increases your chances of a win, that is an undeniable fact," Gilbert told the Sydney Morning Herald. "It's about ensuring we have got all the bases covered. It is certainly something we will consider. It is a cost-neutral exercise."

It could have been a three-way race for McCullum's services had his IPL team, Kolkata Knight Riders, not had such a dismal tournament. Earlier in the year McCullum said it would be his preference to play for Otago, although a hefty cash injection could tempt them to accept an offer from New South Wales.

"Given the fact he has played for them in the last 12 months, I think it could happen," Ross Dykes, the Otago chief executive, said. "You can't ignore figures like that. But on the other hand, you have loyalty reasons for which you wouldn't want to do it. Brendon would have to be involved in these discussions."

Craig Cumming, the Otago captain, said that he was keen to retain McCullum. "We get first dibs on him [McCullum] now that Kolkata didn't get through," Cumming told Radio Sport. "Someone would have to have a pretty strong argument to get him out of the team that I'm playing for. [For guys like Brendon], they play for New Zealand and the franchises in the IPL but this is unique in that you're representing your province on a world stage. This is a real opportunity for him to do something a little bit different from what he normally does because it is for his province. It's a unique chance."

Other players with decisions to make include Dirk Nannes (Victoria and Delhi Daredevils), Andrew McDonald (Victoria and Delhi Daredevils), Cameron White (Victoria and Royal Challengers Bangalore), Nathan Bracken (New South Wales and Royal Challengers Bangalore), Herschelle Gibbs (Cape Cobras and Deccan Chargers) and Farveez Maharoof (Wayamba and Delhi Daredevils).

Victoria's coach Greg Shipperd is also in an unusual position having been in charge of the Delhi Daredevils, who qualified by virtue of finishing on top of the IPL table. However, Shipperd has previously stated that Victoria would be his first priority should both his teams reach the Champions League.