ICC opens door to India's participation in Cricket World Cup

The dispute began two years ago when the ICC and the Rupert Murdoch-owned Global Cricket Corporation (GCC) settled on a $550 million deal for commercial rights to the 2003 and 2007 World Cups. The GCC insisted that during the World Cup and ICC Trophy events the major sponsors should be given a clear run and that individual sponsorship of players should be suspended.

This was however strongly opposed by Indian players, who generally earn a lot more from advertising than they do from playing. Towards the end of last year the Indian players won the support of their board and its president, Jogmohan Dalmiya, who said that the ICC had no right to sell their image rights. Several players in other international teams also voiced their support of the stand taken by the Indian players.

The ICC has now stated that it will accept India's refusal to sign up to the their sponsorship rules in their entirety in return for a reimbursement from the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) should any future claims for compensation arise as a direct result from the board's action.

The World Cup, co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya and involving 14 teams, will be officially launched on February 8 and will run until March 23.

It is expected that all ICC member countries will earn about $9 million for competing at this year's event.