In the event of any interruptions due to rain, bad light or for other reasons during the forthcoming Indian Cricket League (ICL), the organisers will not follow the Duckworth-Lewis method, Cricket365 has learnt.

A Kerala-based enginner V Jayadevan has devised an exclusive programme, known as the VJD system, for Twenty20 matches based on data from the World Twenty20 Championships and this will be used for the inagural ICL tournament.

“We shall be using it for one year and will observe the difference,” an ICL source told C365.

The effort of 44-year-old Yayadevan was hailed by India’s greatest batsman Sunil Gavaskar, and the BCCI have also decided to use it during the current season.

Jayadevan, an engineer from Thrissur, has devised a method that claims to be “superior” to the existing Duckworth-Lewis method.

Jayadevan’s method is based on a mathematical model of the natural development of an innings through its various stages of settling down, making use of field restrictions, mid stages of stabilising, acceleration towards the end and the final ’slog’ overs.

Based on the general scoring pattern and research of past matches, a ‘normal’ statistical curve has been developed. Regression analysis was carried out using ’spread sheet’ software and a cubical polynomial equation was used for determining the scoring pattern.

Putting all this into use, Jayadevan has generated a ‘target curve’. He also provides a ‘target table’ where the revised target can be computed depending on the percentage of total overs that were completed for different percentages of wickets. To make the entire process easy, a computer programme has been devised.

Jayadevan started to work on the VJD System in 1998 and gave it a proper shape in 2001. The D/L method has led the pack for several years, and Jayadevan’s system will come under closer scrutiny from the ICC before a decision is made on whether to deploy it.

Gurgaon : The BCCI-backed Indian Premier League may have the best of current players on its roster but the Indian Cricket League recruit Chris Cairns feels the so-called rebel venture would be a bigger hit with the fans as it has more local youngsters.

“The IPL will have a lot of current players and all of them are huge stars. But ICL has an edge because we have a local flavour to our sides, which makes it easier for the fans to connect with us,” the former New Zealand all-rounder said.

“We have a nice mix of youth and experience in all our teams. On one hand we have recently-retired megastars like (Brian) Lara and Inzamam-ul Haq, who can pull in crowds on any given day. And on the other, there are youngsters from within India, who will get an opportunity to showcase their talent,” he added.

Cairns said another factor which makes ICL more appealing to fans is that it would be the first of the two Twenty20 leagues to take off.

“IPL hasn’t even started and it will be some time before it happens. But we are getting started right away and being the first has its advantages because if everything goes off well and spectators enjoy our product, it will raise the bar for IPL. So as I see it, ICL is certainly bigger at the moment,” he explained.

The 37-year-old felt it was unfair to call ICL a rebel league.

“More than anybody else, I think its the media which is trying to build it up as a rebel series. I don’t agree with this description. Take for instance my case, How can you call me a rebel? I am not contracted to my country’s board any more, so no one has the right to stop me from coming here and playing,” he said.

“As for the boards threatening to ban players, it’s unfortunate. Playing in ICL does not make you ineligible for selection. Why can’t we treat it as just another opportunity to go and play cricket?” he asked.

On his own reasons to sign up with ICL, Cairns, who would be playing for Chandigarh Lions, said, “Playing here would help me stay in touch with the game that I love and which gave me so much. It’s an interesting format and I found the whole package quite appealing.”

“And it would be interesting to find out how I do against the younger lot,” he quipped.

Stage is set for the Indian Cricket League’s (ICL) Twenty20 tournament to take off from November 30 in Chandigarh with a host of former international stars promising to add spice to the rebel series.

The tournament, which is spread over two weeks, will have Delhi Jets taking on Chandigarh Lions in the inaugural match at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula.

Besides these two teams, Mumbai Champs will be led by legendary Brian Lara while other teams Kolkata Tigers, Chennai Superstars and Hyderabad Heroes will be vying for a place in the semi finals of the tournament, which will have a round-robin format.

Apart from Lara, the other top players to watch out for will be former Sri Lankan skipper Marvan Atapattu, who will be captaining the Delhi Jets team, former Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq, former New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns, Nathan Astle, Chris Harris, Abdul Razzaq, Azhar Mahmood, Dinesh Mongia, Lance Klusener, Imran Farhat, Nicky Boje, Vikram Solanki, Paul Nixon, Hamish Marshall, Andrew Hall and Daryl Tuffey.

There are a host of domestic cricket stars as well which will form part of each team along with the former international ones. The teams would be reaching here tomorrow after taking part in several practice matches at different venues.

Final touches are being given to around 7,000 capacity stadium in Haryana’s Panchkula, where flood lights are being installed for the mega event.

Though tickets for the event have been moderately priced at Rs 100 for a single match and Rs 150 for two matches on the same day, the response from the fans has been lukewarm.

ICL Executive Board chairman Kapil Dev said, “we are keeping our fingers crossed. At the moment, we are excited and nervous. ICL is our baby and we are hoping everything goes off well.”

A concern at the stadium would be the outfield, which tends to be a bit slow, but Kapil said everything will be
taken care of before the tournament starts. 

The pavillion building is being upgraded to include individual lockers and dressing room for players, umpires and match officials while a hi-tech broadcast studio is also being readied.

ICL, an Essel Group venture, has taken the stadium on a 10-year lease from the Haryana Government. Executive Vice president of the Essel (Zee) Group, Ashish Kaul said in addition to the live broadcast of the tournament on Zee Sports, they would also try to have live feed on regional channels owned by the media conglomerate.

The event will have commentators like Tony Greig, Dean Jones, Pat Symcox, Jeffery Thomson, Mike Whitney and Ayaz Memon.

What made you join the ICL ?
It was a big challenge and an opportunity for me. I have never played enough T20 cricket. So, I just thought of challenging myself and my cricketing abilities. I want to continue playing cricket for another 2-3 years and maximize my talent. I also thought that the ICL would be an ideal opportunity to give back to the game.

What are your views on the various cricket boards’ stand on the ICL ?
I don’t think ICL should be blocked. It’s provides a great opportunity to cricketers, young and old to improve on their abilities. If we call cricket a career, one should not be denied a chance to earn. Imposing sanctions on the ICL would be unfortunate, as you tend to stop income/revenue, exposure and the experience of playing with the top cricketers.

What made you retire all of a sudden ?
It was not a sudden decision I made. I always had a fair idea of when I should retire. I did not want to hang around in a system I didn’t believe in and also, give opportunities to newer talent in Sri Lanka. And, half-way through my innings at Hobart, I knew that it was coming.

Did you retire out of frustration?
No. If I was frustrated, I would have left half-way through the World Cup.

What are your post-retirement plans ?
As I said, I want to continue playing cricket for the next 2-3 years, wherever it be. I will finish this tournament and then leave for Australia to play club cricket and also in the English summer, where I am scheduled to turn out for Lashings XI. Apart from that, I am in initial talks with Channel Nine over a commentary stint during the Triangular ODI Series in Feb 2008. I want to be involved with cricket for as long as I could.

You and John Dyson were instrumental in grooming Mahela as an international captain. Now that he is in the hot seat, what do you think about his captaincy ?
Mahela is doing well as a captain. It is always difficult for any captain to tour Australia. He has been growing into a really strong captain, with a great back-up in Kumar Sangakkara. 

With the Golden Generation of Sri Lankans in their swansong, how difficult is it going to be for SL Cricket to replace them ?
It wont be easy. We have enough, if not more talent. But what is the use of having a lot of talent and not giving them enough opportunities ? We need to give them enough chances to establish themselves in the international level. And, you got to know what your future is. 

What do you think about the state of school cricket in Sri Lanka ?
It was our feeder system to international cricket. But, since they have changed the rules, the school system has suffered. Since that happened, the game suffered and no good player coming through. The last batsman who genuinely broke through the schools was Farveez Maharoof. But I hope that they go back to the original system, else its just going down.

What about the selectors’ remark ? Do you stand by it ?
Yes. I stand by whatever I said. If anyone feels that I have said something wrong, why don’t they come up and let me know. I made that statement for the betterment of Sri Lankan cricket. I can only hope that the authorities were listening to what I said. I genuinely feel for the game in the country, and that’s why I said what I had to.

What was the best innings you ever played ?
In one-dayers, I think the 132 not out at Lords in the Emirates Cup Final has to be right up there. It was indeed my best one-day knock. As far as tests are concerned, I’d pick the 200+ I scored against Pakistan at Kandy, simply because it came against the best fast bowlers at that time.

How do you look to give back to the game?
I want to give something back to the game, and Sri Lanka would be an ideal starting point. After all the game has given me everything that I am today.

Any regrets ?
No. Not at all. I have lived a perfect cricketer’s life. Started off with five ducks in 6 innings and then to get 6 double hundreds was just great. I have to say I have been very lucky to represent my country for over 15 years.Very few coveted ones get that opportunity.

One of the most hotly debated issues in Indian cricket right now is the advent of the rebel Indian Cricket League and whether it stands a chance against it’s more high-profile and official cousin, the IPL.

The jury is still out on whether the ICL can survive the competition, but as of now the Boses at the Essel owned Zee group are going all out to sell the ICL product.

The Essel Group’s Indian Cricket League or the ICL flaunting its big names — Brian Lara, Chris Cairns, Marvan Atapattu and Inzamam-ul-Haq are in India gearing up for the kick off on Friday the 30th of November.

Lara’s delayed arrival had raised speculation that he may be pulling out.

But the former West Indian captain says he always intended to keep his commitment even though this league is totally unofficial and does not have the backing of the ICC.

“The ICC is trying to encourage new countries like China and America to play cricket. I am disappointed it is not supporting a league where so many international stars are participating,” said Brian Lara.

The main difference between the ICL and the soon to be launched IPL or Indian Premier League is clearly the star power.

The IPL has already signed on 50 of the top current players in the world. But most cricketers believe that there will still be a place for the ICL.

It is a safe haven for recently retired players and those who are on the fringes of domestic cricket in India.

“Cricketers have been brave to defy their national boards in seeking this opportunity to play in the ICL,” said Chris Cairns.

However, the biggest difference between the official IPL and the unofficial ICL is sponsorship.

While the IPL hopes to raise a 1000 crores from TV rights, the Essel group backed ICL still does not have any sponsors. It has only got partners for drinks, uniforms and travel. But maybe that is to be expected for a new venture.

“Essel group has truckloads of money,” said Navjot Sidhu, NDTV’s cricket expert.

So, the ICL is the definite underdog, but they have promised slick coverage, great action and more importantly a platform for players to earn more money.