Power off at the Millennium

Thorpe was due to appear in Cardiff

The indoor Power Cricket scheduled for the Millennium Stadium this weekend has been postponed.

The games between a Rest of the World XI and an Asian XI were due to take place on 25 and 26 January, with the teams competing for a victory prize of £25,000.

But because of revised World Cup commitments of the Pakistan Cricket Board, the Pakistan cricketers are unable to play on the Asian team.

Rather than play with understrength teams, the event will be moved to the spring, when Asia can be represented by a full-strength team comprising the best players from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Britain lose indoor series

The news could be a relief to groundsmen, though, as they prepare the problem pitch for the forthcoming Six Nations rugby tournament and football internationals.

Philip Pride, director of event organisers DP Cricket, said: "We've decided to move the event to a time when the best players in the world are available.

"After such a successful first event, it's important that the second Power Cricket tournament reaches the same high standards to ensure that this new and exciting form of the sport continues to grow."

Supporters who had bought tickets for the event will receive a full refund during the next 10 days.