ECB welcomes Champions League

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The England and Wales Cricket Board has welcomed the news that the boards of India, Australia, South Africa and the ECB are planning a Twenty20 Champions League. More... ECB welcomes Champions League The England and Wales Cricket Board has welcomed the news that the Board of Cricket Control in India, Cricket Australia, Cricket South Africa and ECB are planning a Twenty20 Champions League which will offer counties from England and Wales the chance to compete for a £1million first prize. The concept for the new competition was revealed in Delhi on Thursday and was backed by the ICC as well as the four boards involved. It will provide a great boost for next season's Twenty20 Cup in England and Wales. The ECB is proud that they were the pioneers of Twenty20 cricket, which is now being showcased not only in many domestic competitions but also at the ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa. David Collier, the ECB chief executive, said: "Twenty20 cricket has excited and captured the interest of a new generation of cricket supporters during the past five years, providing a major boost for our counties throughout England and Wales. "ECB is delighted and congratulates BCCI on launching the Indian Premier League to compliment the domestic competitions run by ECB, Cricket South Africa and Cricket Australia. "For county, state and province players, the introduction of the Twenty20 Champions competition played between the eight best teams in the world who have earned their place through our domestic competitions provides a new and exciting pinnacle for our county champions. "It will provide teams with the opportunity to earn the title of the world club champions in a format which will be eagerly anticipated by spectators and players alike. “ECB warmly supports the Twenty20 Champions Competition and we look forward to the first competition in October 2008." The initial plans are for the two domestic finalists from England and Wales, Australia and South Africa to play off against the two Indian finalists for a £2.5m prize fund - with £1m going to the winners. It is hoped that the competition will be expanded in future years to include the other full member countries. Deputy chief executive Hugh Morris represented the ECB at the launch in Delhi, which was also attended by ICC president Ray Mali, Cricket South Africa CEO Gerald Majola and Cricket Australia's chief executive James Sutherland as well as representatives from the BCCI.

[King]

I think this league is a fantastic idea. Only issue though is BCCI and ICC will make fair bit moolah but will not put the money back into the sport. Unfortunately this league will pretty much render the ICL useless.