Already wet conditions at the Brit Oval were made worse with a heavy down poor at lunchtime meant that day three of Surrey’s LV County Championship match against Sussex had to be abandoned. Nevertheless, Surrey TV spoke exclusively to Mark Butcher about his association with the Indian Cricket League that was broadcasted in the Times Newspaper this morning.

Today in the Times newspaper, Mark Butcher was named as a potential player in the breakaway Indian Cricket League (ICL). The news article in question stated that Butcher had been approached to captain one of the teams to play in a 20-overs tournament in October being organised by the ICL.

Former England captain, Tony Greig, who recruited players for Kerry Packer's World Series in the 1970s, is on the executive board of the new Indian Cricket League, along with legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev.

West Indian Brian Lara, who retired from international cricket after the World Cup, has been persuaded to join the new-look league, which will initially be played in Twenty20 format during October and November. There are also many other players either retired or approaching the end of their careers who have been linked to the competition, including prolific Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf.

Commenting on the piece, Butcher said: “When I was told of the claims made in the Times, I was completely surprised and slightly disconcerted to see my name attached to something that I knew nothing about. I have not received any kind of approach from the ICL. If I was to have received an invitation to play in the ICL, my first action would be to alert Surrey County Cricket Club and discuss possible outcomes with them.”

You can see Butcher’s exclusive interview with Surrey TV, by clicking here.

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