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The International Cricket Council has warned that a proposal from the Texan billionaire, Allen Stanford, who hopes to host a $23 million 20 tournament in the West Indies next year, will only be given the go-ahead if all parties are satisfied with the arrangements.

The chief executive ICC Malcolm speed has said:

“Our members have raised genuine concerns about the concept and have asked ICC to act as an intermediary and help manage discussions between Mr. Stanford and the potential host of the matches, the West Indies Cricket Board.”

“The members recognize the potential benefits if the tournament of the development of cricket in the West Indies. At the same time they wish to ensure that their participation in any event such as this will benefit as many of the games stakeholders as possible to help facilitate its continuing strong growth.”

It is reported by an newspaper that Stanford had approached Australia for a week-ling 20 knockout also involving India, South Africa and Sri Lanka. The winners would then take on the Stanford Super Stars, a West Indian XI consisting of the best players in the inter-island domestic 20 tournament.

Cricket Australia has said it would consider the proposal subject to ICC approval, although today’s statement from the governing body suggests that there remain some reservations. The West Indies board met the ICC last week to discuss the event and the issues of payment and the countries involved.

According to the ICC’s Future Tours Programme, Australia need to complete a Test and ODI series in the Caribbean by June, 30-2008. and under the current provisions, as laid out in the recent ICC executive meeting at Lord’s, each nation may play a maximum of seven 20 fixtures per year, and two in any one series.

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