ECB to oppose Rajasthan Royals move: Report

IPL team Rajasthan Royals' tie-up with Hampshire is likely to be opposed by England and Wales Cricket Board which feels sanctioning such a competition may divert attention away from the re-launch of its own Twenty20 series.

Royals had launched their franchise concept at Lord's with their captain and former Hampshire player Shane Warne announcing to stage a T20 cricket festival in England this July.

They entered into partnership with four teams from around the world, including Hampshire, South African side Cape Cobras and West Indian Trinidad & Tobago. Australian domestic side Victorian Bushrangers were still to give their nod.

'The Guardian' on Tuesday reported that any professional tournament in England needs to have ECB's rubber-stamp and insiders feels that the competition may deflect attention away from the relaunch of England's own Twenty20 cup.

The date suggested for the inaugural Royals Festival, somewhere among the 10 days at the end of July, would also clash with the quarter-finals of the domestic Twenty20, the report said.

Another reason why the ECB would oppose the idea was the already overcrowded domestic programme.

The ECB has yet to receive an official application from Rajasthan Royals. When they do, it will be referred to a sub-committee, which will consider whether the proposals will benefit the game in England, the newspaper said.