Collier confident in Champions League

David Collier is keen to iron out some of the problems facing the Champions League © Getty Images

On the day when Allen Stanford announced a Super Series involving the winners of the domestic Twenty 20 Cup, David Collier insists he remains “confident” the lucrative Twenty20 Champions League will go ahead.

Both finalists in this weekend’s Twenty20 Cup will ensure qualification for the Champions League, a tournament for all the leading Twenty20 sides around the world, with a jackpot of £2.5million for the winners.

But with the rules and regulations yet to be finalised, counties do not know whether they will be eligible for it with Indian cricket chiefs insisting on a ban for all teams that have fielded players who featured in this winter's rebel tournament.

Of the four teams remaining in the Twenty20 Cup, only Essex and Middlesex have not used players who played in the Indian competition, meaning Durham and Kent face an anxious wait to see if they will be able to participate should they reach the final.

“I’m confident it will go ahead this year,” Collier said.

“We’ve had discussions during the week, I think it’s well known there are some differences about rules and regulations which still have to be ironed out.

“In an ideal world, all four countries will participate and the deal is on the table.

“Any tournament has to have the top nations involved. It seems we will have an initial year where it is a big issue.”

“But certainly, we are hoping for two days in the sun, not just one.

“This (Stanford) game is obviously a great game for the counties to go to, but we’re also hoping they will be representing us in the Champions League as well.”

IPL commissioner Lalit Modi also rubbished reports suggesting plans for the £2.5million Champions League tournament had been shelved.

The competition was first announced by the ECB and Cricket Australia was entrusted with the task of drawing up rules for the tournament.

It was expected to be held in the small window between the controversial Champions Trophy in Pakistan which ends on September 28, and the first Test between India and Australia in Bangalore which starts on October 9.

Modi said the dates for the tournament would now be announced after the Champions Trophy.

He said: "There is no plan to shelve the Champions League. We will decide on the dates of the Champions League after the Champions Trophy.”