ECB hopeful over Stanford agreement

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The England and Wales Cricket Board were concerned at reports the Texan billionaire had disbanded his Stanford Twenty20 Board, terminated the contracts of his legends and closed his cricket office in Antigua amid rumours he was dissatisfied with the return on his investment in the Caribbean.

"Any issues that exist are clearly issues that exist in the Caribbean and we are not involved," said ECB chairman Giles Clarke. "David Collier has spoken to him and he wanted to make it clear that he is committed to working with the ECB."

The ECB had feared Stanford, who has poured millions of dollars into West Indies cricket and funded their domestic Twenty20 competition, could also withdraw from agreements to bankroll an annual 20million US dollars (over £13million) winner takes all match between his All Stars side and England and a proposed quadrangular Twenty20 tournament to be staged at Lord's this summer.

Stanford's organisation issued a statement attempting to ease fears claiming he still had the "desire to continue to work with the England and Wales Cricket Board and discussions are currently ongoing between Stanford 20/20 LLC and the ECB".

Stanford's dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board is believed to hinge on problems with Digicel, who are the main sponsors of the West Indies team, which almost caused November's Stanford Super Series match in Antigua to be cancelled.

The two parties came to a compromise to allow the match to take place, which the All Stars won by 10 wickets, but the ECB do not intend to intervene now Stanford has reassured them he wishes to continue his partnership with them.

"He has not said anything to us about ceasing to carry on doing things for West Indies cricket," explained Clarke. "His issue is with the West Indies Cricket Board over the Digicel matter."