ECB Set to Discuss Twenty20 Future With Stanford

The England and Wales Cricket Board have confirmed that they will meet with Allen Stanford tomorrow to discuss possible future co-operation in the development of Twenty20 cricket. Stanford, a Texas-born billionaire who made his money through his eponymous wealth management firm Stanford Financial, is investing over $100million in West Indian cricket over a three-year period.

This spring, he proposed a one-off Twenty20 match between his own West Indian all stars side and either England or Australia for a winner-takes-all jackpot of $20million. Given that England are touring the West Indies in Spring 2009, the ECB could well be intending to arrange such a fixture. Stanford had stated that he wanted the challenge match - which he called "Twenty20 for 20" - to take place in June, which wouldn't fit with England's proposed schedule.

Also on the agenda at the meeting will be the formation of a multiple franchise tournament, contested between Stanford's Caribbean teams and their English equivalents. The ECB are continuing to consider establishing an English Premier League - an idea welcomed by the chairman of the Indian Premier League Lalit Modi on the provision that there was no scheduling clash between the two tournaments. His own Stanford 20/20 tournament is regarded as a firm success, broadcast in both North and South America, as well as around the rest of the world.

Speaking about the ECB's plans for the future, chairman Giles Clarke was cautious: "We don't want a knee-jerk reaction to the IPL but we believe that we can set up a robust, spectator-friendly, economically sustainable competition of our own which will not cut across the core revenue streams of Test and one-day international cricket." As they continue that process, Stanford may well prove to be a key ally.

To read a full interview with Allen Stanford on his plans for the future of the game, click here.