Date:02/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/02/stories/2009010256621700.htm

Sport - Cricket

ECB, BCCI may ink new deal

London: Brought closer by England’s decision to defy terror and return for the Test series in India, cricket boards from both the countries would sign a “ground-breaking” agreement later this month with provision for an Ashes-like series, media reports claimed here on Thursday.

According to a report in The Guardian, the new agreement would see Indian Premier League authorities budging from their rigid stance that the English cricketers would be allowed in the second edition of the IPL only if they commit for the entire event.

“England will reap the benefits of their decision to return to India following the Mumbai terrorist attacks when they announce a ground-breaking agreement between the two countries this month which will include an Ashes-like five-Test series,” the report said.

“England will also have a greater say in the future of the Champions League, could be given more participation in the event and may even stage it in the future,” it said.

Noting that over the last three decades, most India-England Test series featured just three matches, the daily said both the countries would now feature in a five-match, Ashes-like series.

“Increasing the number to five is a result of the much closer relationship between the ECB and the BCCI following England’s decision to return to play Test matches in Chennai and Mohali,” the daily said.

The negotiation between both the Boards featured England and Wales Cricket Board Chairman Giles Clarke, ECB CEO David Collier, BCCI president Shashank Manohar and secretary N. Srinivasan, it added. — PTI