LONDON, Aug 2: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have given their blessing for Middlesex to take part in the inaugural Champions Twenty20 League later this year, but have expressed their “bitter disappointment” that Kent, the runners-up in last week’s Twenty20 Cup final, have been barred from the event because their squad includes players with links with the unauthorised ICL competition.

Kent’s omission was confirmed to the ECB by Cricket Australia, who have been tasked with drawing up the rules and regulations of the competition.

“Both the ECB and Kent are bitterly disappointed at this stance,” read a statement, “as Kent had offered various solutions aimed at overcoming the objections of the organisers, such as not to include players who had taken part in unauthorised cricket in their squad.”—Agencies