Untold riches beckon for Sussex

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Captain Michael Yardy is relishing the prospect of leading Sussex into the lucrative Champions League as English cricket’s Twenty20 kings.

Triumphant in yesterday’s Twenty20 Cup at Edgbaston, Sussex will be accompanied by beaten finalists Somerset when the multi-million dollar tournament gets under way in India in October.

A $6million jackpot is up for grabs, and Yardy could barely contain his excitement as his thought turned towards the remarkable sums on offer.

He said: "I remember speaking to Matt Prior before the first (Champions League) and he was saying about the hype in India before that tournament and how big an event it is.

"I've played in India and you know how partisan they are about their cricket. It is something to really look forward to and we want to go over there and do ourselves justice.

Michael Yardy leads the celebrations after Sussex's Twenty20 Cup triumph. He hopes to taste more success in India in October

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"I am sure we will have a bit of time out there to prepare. There are big figures of money being bandied around and that is fantastic. I think it is great for cricket.

"Twenty20 is moving the goalposts and, for us as county cricketers, it is great to have the opportunity to earn that type of money."

Sussex, meanwhile, are set to hold talks with Indian Premier League side Deccan Chargers to determine who Dwayne Smith will be able to play for in the Champions League.

The former West Indies all-rounder smashed 59 off only 26 deliveries with seven fours and three sixes to inspire the Sharks to a 63-run success over Somerset in the final.

He signed a three-year contract with Sussex last season but also linked up with the Chargers for the second season of the IPL and helped them qualify for the Champions League.

Yardy added: "I am not 100 per cent sure what the situation is regarding Dwayne and the Champions League. It would be nice to have him.

"When you go to a big competition like the Champions League, you want to have your top Twenty20 players available.

"Dwayne is certainly one of those, so we will have to see where that takes us. I am sure it will be discussed within the next few weeks with the Deccan Chargers to see where everything stands."