November 11, 2007	Sunday	Shawwal 29, 1428

WORCESTER (England), Nov 10: Former England and Worcestershire batsman Vikram Solanki has signed for the Indian Cricket League (ICL).

According to the BBC Sport Solanki, 31, will join Darren Maddy and Paul Nixon as the third Englishman in the ICL.

The ICL continues to cast a shadow over county cricket, though no one is entirely sure of the legal ramifications of a county player joining the breakaway league.

The ECB have threatened to ban any players who sign on the ICL, and so preventing them from participating in the Champions League next year. Six countries will send the two best Twenty20 teams from their own domestic Twenty20 tournaments.

With a prize fund of £2.3m on offer, counties are understandably nervous about the threat and have been pressured by the ECB to persuade detractors to re-think their decision.

The Professional Cricketers’ Association, however, seems to be siding with the players so far, though it remains to be seen whether those who have signed for the ICL are contractually obliged to participate.

—Agencies