Former England player Tony Greig, who is an executive board member with the rebel Indian Cricket League believes that it will only be a matter of time that an ICL player comes forward and challenges the England and Wales Cricket Board’s decision to prevent him from working outside the county season.

"I don't see how the ECB will get away with what they're planning," Greig was quoted as saying to the UK Telegraph.

"It'll end up back where we were in 1977 - back in court. It will be tested - you can be assured of that,” Greig, who is commentating for ICL, said.

"If you read the ECB statement, they say they're going to be robust on this issue. I'm trying to work out why. If players aren't required to play for their county for six months of the year, then why not play somewhere else? I thought it had been established 30 years ago that you can't stop players plying their trade. Players' rights have to be upheld. Governing bodies do not have the right to restrict players from plying their trade," he added.

The UK Telegraph mentioned that the ECB issued a "robust" warning to players that if they sign up for a tournament not sanctioned by the International Cricket Council then they face having their county registration revoked.

Former England keeper Chris Read, who is playing for ICL has threatened to sue the ECB over the new rule.