Power corrupts, but money does more

Lalit Modi's decision to give the IPL franchises the first pick over international players for the Champions League has Neil Manthorp fuming. He gives the example of Albie Morkel of the Chennai Super Kings, who was paid and rehabilitated through back and ankle injuries for years by the Titans who took a long-term view that he would, one day, pay them back through weight of performance. Read on in Supercricket.

In theory the Titans could say 'no' and insist on Morkel's services in the push for $5 million. But it is only theory - in reality all Modi has to do is offer an amount the Titans could not afford to do without. A million rand should do it which, at around $150 000, is the kind of money the IPL budgets for snacks in their Franchise owners corporate boxes. Per match. Besides, Morkel would be ill-advised to upset the SuperKings who now pay him over ten times what the Titans can afford.