CA forced to relinquish Watson to IPL team for Champions League

Cricket Australia (CA) is reportedly compelled to hand over all-rounder Shane Watson to his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rajasthan Royals for the upcoming six-million dollar-Champions League.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Australia will play six one-day internationals and two T20s in England, and seven one-day games and a Twenty20 in India before the return Ashes series start, making the Champions League an added complication.

The report further said that players like Watson and Mitchell Johnson, who have qualified for more than one team like the Rajasthan Royals and the Mumbai Indians respectively, as well as Big Bash team Brisbane Heat, are obliged to represent the Indian team.

The report also said that the Heat would receive 300,000 dollars in compensation.

According to the report, Watson's Champions League commitments created worry last year, after CA upset Big Bash League franchise Sydney Sixers by insisting that he return to prepare for the home season, following which Watson broke down before the first Test against South Africa and endured a second injury-affected summer in succession.

CA may also be tempted to rest Test stars like captain Michael Clarke and Watson for the limited-overs tour of India from October 10 to November 2, but that might not go down well with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the report added.