ECB may ask counties to stay away from Champions League

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) insisted that two counties - one out of Lancashire and Leicestershire, and one out of Hampshire and Somerset - should receive full payment by BCCI before they are allowed to go to India.

The Daily Telegraph reported that some teams that have participated in the first two Champions League meets have either not received their payment on time or in full.

Somerset and Sussex played in the inaugural tournament in India in 2009 but English counties skipped the second edition in South Africa last year after a dispute between the ECB and the Indian organisers over scheduling.

Though ECB is keen for counties to participate, the Champions League still faces an uncertain future.

The daily reported that ESPN pays $30 million a year for the broadcasting rights for the Champions League, but after five years the sum doubles to $60 million, and the tournament might not continue thereafter. The third tournament kicks off in Hyderabad Sep 19.