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Nathan Astle - Source: NZPA Images -
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Former New Zealand international Nathan Astle says he will ink a
deal with a new Twenty20 cricket league in the United States soon
after earlier denying media reports that he had signed a
deal.
"It is very, very close. Within the next few days, I will put pen
to paper," Astle said in an interview with BSport Breakfast on
Tuesday morning.
"There is still some to-ing and froing (with the contract) but . .
. it's just a matter of getting things sorted..."
Astle said he had been approached by American Premier League
organisers through his agent about two months ago about the
proposed six-team competition to be played in a baseball stadium in
New York in October.
The event has not been sanctioned by the International Cricket
Council (ICC).
Astle is one of eight former internationals linked with the Premium
World 11 for the event.
Former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie and batsman Damien
Martyn have confirmed they had signed.
Other reportedly on the APL list for the World team are South
Africans Lance Klusener and Nantie Hayward, England's Graeme Hick
and Adam Hollioake and Sri Lankan Marvan Atapattu.
The tournament is being organised by entrepreneur Jay Mir who has
targeted players banned from ICC-sanctioned competitions because
they have played for the rebel Indian Cricket League.
New Zealand cricket great Sir Richard Hadlee, who was a national
selector until last year, is to be an executive consultant for the
US league.
Teams will be from Pakistan, India, West Indies, Bangladeshis, a
world team, and a US team.
Astle, who retired in 2007 after 81 tests and 223 one-day
internationals for the Black Caps, said regardless of whether the
APL was sanctioned or not, bringing the sport to the US would be a
good thing.
