Dynamic duo: KP and Freddie could be millionaires

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Indian Premier League commissioner Lalit Modi has looked to try and tempt Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff in the Twenty20 competition by saying the England stars could earn £1 million for playing in the lucrative tournament.

Modi is the driving force behind the growing expansive of Twenty20 cricket and the inaugural IPL saw huge sums of money being handed out to top cricketers as the eight franchises bid on their targets in the draft.

Modi has welcomed the introduction of an English Premier League and insists there is enough of a market for the game for both ventures to be a success.

However, Modi will have angered the ECB by trying to lure the likes of Pietersen and Flintoff by promising they could earn such massive contracts for playing in the tournament.

The ECB are desperately concerned that players will risk both international and county careers for the prospect of making their fortune just from a few weeks work in India - and Modi's latest comments will not ease their fears.

Seven-figure

When asked if England star attractions could earn a seven-figure deal in the IPL, Modi replied: "Hypothetically yes, that is a possibility.

"We have salaries at the moment of around £750,000 and £800,000. It depends if a franchise thinks Kevin Pietersen or Andrew Flintoff is worth it.

"From what I hear from the franchises, and from us as organisers, we would like representatives from all countries, but there may be timetabling issues.

However, he added on Five Live: "But we in no way depend on the English players, our league is up and running and we have sponsorship and funding for 10 years."

Modi did send out a further warning to English County Championship sides about their participation in the upcoming Champions League.

Indian cricket officials have continued with their stance that no team with connections to their rivals in the Indian Cricket League would be allowed to take part in the big-money showdown.

Middlesex won the Twenty20 Cup on Saturday but beaten finalists Kent fielded Azhar Mahmood and Justin Kemp - both of whom have played in the ICL.

"We hope the ECB will be part of it (the Champions League) but if they are unreasonable or unable to adhere to the rules and regulations of the tournament then it will be unfortunate but they will not be able to participate," Modi added.