CRICKET:Two of Ireland's World Cup stars will take part in the controversial Indian Cricket League, which gets under way in Chandigarh today.
Niall O'Brien and Boyd Rankin were signed up for the made-for-television league after impressing in the Caribbean earlier this year.
Offering $1 million (€673,310) in prize money, the Twenty20 competition was set up by Zee TV in opposition to the ruling Board of Cricket Control in India after they fell out in a row over television rights.
Their initial aim of drawing some of the biggest names in the world game was stymied somewhat when some countries warned current international players that they would be banned from playing in the future if they signed up.
No such threat was made to O'Brien and Rankin and they have received the backing of the Professional Cricketers' Association in England.
The ICL have still managed to recruit some big names, albeit mainly players who have retired from the international game. West Indies legend Brian Lara and former Pakistan captain Inzaman-ul-Haq are amongst the marquee names signed up for the six-team league, with the player rosters being augmented by young Indian players.
O'Brien will play with Delhi Jets, a team that will be captained by former Sri Lanka star Marvin Atapattu and England's Paul Nixon, who will keep wicket.
O'Brien top-scored with 37 in their first warm-up game against Chandigarh Lions and is set to start in today's opener against the same side.
Rankin, who will play county cricket with Warwickshire next season, will line out for Kolkata Tigers alongside South Africans Lance Klusener and Nantie Hayward, the opening bowler who played for Ireland during last summer's Friends Provident Trophy.
