Chandra's ICL signs up cricket biggies: Report

Some of the biggest names in world cricket like Shane Warne, Brian Lara, Inzamam-ul Haq and Glenn McGrath have been signed up for the breakaway Indian Cricket League (ICL) promoted by Zee Television, a magazine has revealed.

Zee TV, led by Subhash Chandra, announced a separate cricket league which will be launched with a Twenty20 championship this year shortly after the World Cup of the newest format of the game in South Africa in September.

"Shane Warne and Brian Lara have signed up for a breakaway Twenty20 competition taking place in India this October and are joined by Inzamam-ul-Haq and Glenn McGrath with many more big names to follow," according to the latest issue of 'Spin'.

"Zee have their eye on other legends who have recently retired or are on the verge. Darren Gough has been linked with contracts in India before and would be an obvious candidate," the magazine said quoting insiders.

The Twenty-20 tournament will have six teams competing against each other in an unofficial tournament. Each team will feature two overseas stars as well as four current or recent Indian internationals.

"The inaugural tournament, featuring a series of big name stars at the end of their careers in the first class game, will start shortly after the first-ever ICC Twenty20 World Championship, taking place in South Africa in September, it said.

The India Cricket League will offer prize money of $1 million for the winner. It is slated to develop in forthcoming years, with more teams and different formats, including a 50-over version.