Mr Cricket can choose his own team: Modi

New Delhi: Lalit Modi has put to rest Michael Hussey's dilemma over which team to represent in the Champions Twenty20 League — his state side Western Australia Warriors or his IPL franchise the Chennai Super Kings. But there's a rider: Hussey's state side stands to be richer by $2,00,000 if he turns up for the latter.

Organisers of the Champions Twenty20 League were in a quandary over the issue of team loyalties with some international players, whose IPL sides as well as their state sides have qualified for the first of its kind cricketing event. However, Modi decided to leave the decision to the players themselves.

"We discussed the matter of team loyalties as every country has its own Twenty20 league," Modi said after announcing the draw of the December 3-10 tournament. "We wanted to find a solution for good. Hence we left it to the player to decide."

Modi added that while Hussey would have to do some soul searching on whether to play for his home side or the one in India, South African quick Morne Morkel won't have such an option.

"Morne Morkel can only play for Titans because he didn't play in the first season of the IPL," Modi said of the fast bowler, who was purchased by winners Rajasthan Royals.

Should the Delhi Daredevils have qualified, it would have put Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik through the grind too, as his local side Sialkot Stallions also form a part of the event.

Money talks. Ask Lalit Modi.