JOHANNESBURG, July 26: The International Cricket Council (ICC) denied on Thursday that a rebel Twenty20 series in India was in danger of stealing some of the thunder from September's inaugural world championship in South Africa.

“It's a local thing, it's not a threat,” ICC cricket manager Dave Richardson said at a launch party for the Twenty20 World Championship. “It doesn't conflict with what we are trying to do in South Africa. It is not an international tournament.”

Organisers of the Indian Cricket League (ICL), which is being promoted by India’s largest listed media group Zee Telefilms, have persuaded Brian Lara to come out of international retirement to take part and an approach has also been reportedly made to New Zealand Test captain Stephen Fleming.

The dates and venues for the series, which has not been recognised by the ICC or the Board of Control for Cricket in India, have yet to be announced.—AFP