ECB in talks over Champions League

The England and Wales Cricket Board are involved in negotiations to be at the forefront of the Champions League.

ECB chairman Giles Clarke began his new term in office on Tuesday and revealed that other relationships are set to be strengthened in the wake of the Stanford saga.

The loss of that multi-million pound deal could be offset by a new agreement to become shareholders in club cricket's most lucrative tournament.

Chief executive David Collier has been engaged in dialogue with his Indian, Australian and South African counterparts during an International Cricket Council gathering in Johannesburg this week.

When the regulations were drawn up by Cricket Australia last year, England were unable to field two teams in the original tournament - which subsequently never happened - because of the presence of cricketers who had played in unauthorised events, namely the Indian Cricket League.

"As a result we did not qualify to be founder shareholders," explained Clarke. "We have been in lengthy, valuable and useful discussions since the Champions League was set up to become full members so that we can have two teams in next year's competition.

"We have had very valuable discussions with our friends from the Board of Control for Cricket in India, who after all hold 50% of the share, and with our friends from Cricket Australia and Cricket South Africa.

"David Collier has been continuing those discussions in Johannesburg and I expect to have further meetings with the Australians in March.

"It has been very friendly and very constructive contrary to some of the lines put out by politicians."

It is understood that England could even host Champions League matches as part of any fresh deal.