NZ players chief bats for ICL

Christchurch, Aug 19 (UNI) Indian Cricket League (ICL) today got support from unexpected quarters, with the New Zealand's players' chief saying that Black Caps will suffer fallout unless the ICC accommodates the rebel league.

Heath Mills, manager of the New Zealand Cricket Players' Association, said that its cricketers would become a prime target for the embryonic league because of their comparative low incomes.

''The ideal scenario from my point of view would be for the ICC to support it as long as it didn't impinge upon international cricket,'' Mills said.

''I can't see many negatives of third-party funding coming into cricket and another professional league would give players an opportunity to earn more income, just like those who go to county cricket, he added.

International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting is scheduled to be held in September which will determine whether the essel-group-owned tournament will be endorsed by the game's governing body.

The players' associations will meet at the same time in Johannesburg and Mills said that their message would be for the ICC to get behind the initiative, rather than to force it into rebellion.

Mills said, ''What would concern me greatly was if the league was not sanctioned and it became a 'rebel' league.

''Our guys would be hugely at risk,'' Mills was qouted by New Zealand media.

Asian nations, Australia, England and South Africa, according to Mills have the resources to pay their players lump sum amount that would lead them not into temptation. But thats not the case with New Zealand cricket.

''They're paying their players close to a million a year so it's a no-brainer. But a guy who is near the top of the retainer list and plays most games a year is looking at 250,000 dollars maximum.

''That makes us vulnerable,'' Mills said. At least three New Zealanders-- Nathan Astle, Chris Cairns and Stephen Fleming-- have been linked with the ICL.

The league received some timely oxygen last week with Railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and Digvijay Singh, general secretary of the ruling Congress party, throwing their weight behind the beleaguered ICL against BCCI's confrontationist stand.

Half of the Hyderabad first-class team has alredy announced that had signed, much to the embarrassment of local officials.

Maharashtra also suffered its first league casuality as S Sriram decided to join the rank and file of the rival ICL.

Pakistan cricketer has also been reported to be in contact with the rebel league. Infact Imran Farhat has already informed that he is all set to ink a deal with the ICL, with Mohammad Yousuf and Abdul Razzaq have been in touch with the league.

The breakway League also has reportedly made another move to lure Pakistan bowling sensation Mohammad Asif with a more lucrative offer of Rs 10 crore.

As of now though retired West Indian captain Brian Lara, test cricket's highest runscorer, is the only marquee player to have confirmed his participation in the competition.

The multi-million-dollar ICL plans to hold the innaugural Twenty20 matches in October.

UNI