ICC clears Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne’s T20 series

The International Cricket Council has given its clearance to the three-match T20 series promoted by Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne in the United States.

The ICC nod came after talks with the two legends. It needed Tendulkar’s persuasive skills to get the clearance from the world body, it is learnt.

“It will be held in November and the ICC doesn’t have a problem with that. It has spelt out a few conditions to Tendulkar and Warne and they have agreed to abide by them,” a source close to the development told TOI.

There were suggestions earlier that it would be a series of exhibition matches which will also be held around Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates over a three and-a-half-year period. But the clearance is for a “one-off three match series”. “For now, it’s one-off. If there are plans of expansion, those can be discussed later,” the source added.

The ICC, which recently disaffiliated USA Cricket Association, put in place a new body to run the game in the country. It is learnt that a portion of the earnings from these three T20 games will go to the ICC and that in turn will be used in the promotion of the game in the country .

Sachin and Warne apart, 26 players, including Rahul Dravid, Glenn McGrath, Jacques Kallis, Adam Gilchrist, Sourav Ganguly , Brian Lara, VVS Laxman and Wasim Akram, have been signed up for the series.

“These players have big market value and can bring the Americans to watch the game. It can only help the game to grow in the country,” the source added.

The games will be played on drop-in pitches at three baseball stadiums ­ Wrigley Field (Chicago), Yankee Stadium (New York) and Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles). Even though the ICC has given its clearance, it doesn’t mean that the world body will provide infrastructural support.

The promoters will have to organize it and bear the cost.

When asked about the relevance of ICC’s clearance, the source said this would allow Tendulkar and Warne to convince the big boys of yesteryear to play the series.

“There are many of them associated with the ICC in different capacities. Unless the world body gave its clearance, these stars wouldn’t have been able to play in the series. But that’s settled and they can have the players of their choice,” the source added.

Source: PTI

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