How can it get to six weeks before the start of the English county season and it still not be confirmed whether the Twenty20 tournament finalists will be able to play in the Champions League (CL)? An article on Cricinfo this week has suggested that the ECB did not respond in time to the invitation for two teams to participate in the 2010 tournament. This is aside from the fact that the tournament dates are set to clash with the finale of the County Championship, the 40-over play-offs and the England ODI series against Pakistan.

All these problems stem from when the ECB decided to reject the offer to become co-commercial right owners of the CL alongside the Australian, South African and Indian governing bodies. This has already cost the ECB millions in revenue. The decision effectively meant that we are simply ‘customers’ rather decision-makers. The reason for the original decision? Alan Stanford. We may as well have invested all our money in The Lehman Brothers at the same time.

All these issues are resulting in a growing feeling of resentment from the players towards the ECB. The CL is a huge pay-day for those who qualify. The ECB are refusing to accommodate the CL by means of rearranging county fixtures. Admittedly, this would be a logistical headache, but the aggressive posturing by the ECB by way of stating that the fixtures will not be adjusted not only irritates the players, but also fires a shot in the on-going power-battle between Asia and England. One feels that this is a battle that the West is destined to lose, taking into account the fact that other powerful nations have aligned themselves with India already.

So what are the consequences in England of lack of CL participation? Well, there are already signs of a shift in players’ approach to playing the game. Twenty20 specialists may become freelance cricketers, playing as overseas players for number of domestic teams, therefore increasing their chances of qualifying for the lucrative annual tournament. Such are the timings of the South African, Australian, New Zealand, IPL and English domestic tournaments, a player could conceivably play in all five of them, participate in the Champions League, retire from 50 over/1st class cricket and still be better off financially.

ECB and their problems aside, the way that the game is being run from the Continent is also concerning. The number of unofficial quotes and leaked reports that come from various sources, keeps everyone guessing as to what is actually going on, and draws into question whether anybody actual has any sort of planned agenda. Apparently this week, the ECB were informally approached about hosting the 2010 Champions League. (Surely, this would be hugely controversial if they also refused to budge on the County fixtures effectively not allowing the County teams to play, yet still finding the facilities to host). The very next day, Cricket South Africa announced that they were hosting the event, only to be later denied by Lalit Modi. No doubt the subject of who will host the 2010 tournament will drag on. It is scheduled to commence in about seven months time. When the venue finally gets announced, be sure to hear of an ongoing saga about security measures, and team safety. Will there be enough time to put everything that is required into place? Other major tournaments, (admittedly they often have two or four years of planning), seem to have everything in place much further in advance. The CL at this stage however, are unsure as to their venue and their participants. Fairly important commodities I suggest.