Skip to main content
BBC SPORT / CRICKET
Graphics Version | BBC News Home
Sport Homepage | Football | World Cup 2010 | Formula 1 | Olympics | Vancouver 2010 | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorbikes | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Cricket Contents:  Future tour dates | England | International Teams | Counties | Women's cricket | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Test Match Special

Sunday, 18 November 2007, 17:00 GMT

Maddy unworried by India threats

Darren Maddy Warwickshire captain Darren Maddy is confident his county career will not be affected by his participation in the rebel Indian Cricket League.

The England and Wales Cricket Board is asking counties to persuade players not to join the ICL but Maddy is one of four players to have signed up.

Asked if the ICL made him worry about his future he said: "There were points.

"But I've had support from Warwickshire and the PCA [Professional Cricketers Association] that put my mind at rest."

"As it grows and people see the positive side of the ICL, a lot more players from England will sign up"
Darren Maddy

Paul Nixon, Vikram Solanki and Chris Read are the other recent England players to have signed contracts worth a reported £75,000 for six weeks of action.

The Indian cricket board has refused to recognise the ICL, threatened to ban players from official competitions and denied the ICL access to major venues.

"When you see the youth in the squads it's a real shame for these guys because they've got long careers ahead of them and I'd hate to think this will be detrimental to their development," Maddy told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"For that reason alone we need to make the ICL work and for it to be accepted worldwide.

"It's a new thing and people are always sceptical. When they see what it's going to do for the game of cricket their opinions will change.

"It's an exciting competition and as it grows and people see the positive side of the ICL, a lot more players from England will sign up.

606: DEBATE
"Given that neither of the two competitions will be played at the same time I suspect that both will attract large TV audience figures"
bhamgills

Maddy returned to the international fold to play in the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa and scored 50 against New Zealand.

He will compete for the Calcutta Tigers when the inaugural ICL season begins late in November.

"It's not only an opportunity to develop my game but also young players from other countries," he added.

"My aim is to enjoy the experience and if I can go home a better cricketer as well I'll be really happy."

The rival Indian Premier League, which is officially sanctioned, has attracted the majority of Australia's star names, plus Sachin Tendulkar, Mahendra Dhoni and Muttiah Muralitharan.

Its first season is to begin in April.




E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:

India tempts global cricket stars (15 Nov 07 |  India )
Solanki joins Indian rebel league (12 Nov 07 |  Cricket )
Dev & Greig to lead Indian league (14 May 07 |  India )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Indian Cricket League
International Cricket Council
Scorecards on mobiles
Five Live cricket
Cricket debate on 606
Download our cricket masks
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC SPORT: 

Sport Homepage | Football | World Cup 2010 | Formula 1 | Olympics | Vancouver 2010 | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorbikes | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Cricket Contents:  Future tour dates | England | International Teams | Counties | Women's cricket | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Test Match Special

^ Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | Feedback | Help | ©