Middlesex brand article misleading

6 November 2008

Owais Shah acknowledges his fifty for Middlesex in the Twenty20 Cup final in July

Middlesex today wish to clarify the article in The Daily Telegraph.

"We have had meetings with the ECB and the Professional Cricketers Association regarding Andrew Strauss, Owais Shah and the Twenty20 Champions League," said Middlesex chief executive Vinny Codrington.

"Both organisations have been extremely helpful and supportive.

"We perfectly understand the situation regarding Andrew and Owais, as the players do themselves.

"We would never stand in the way of a player's career, and if the ECB feel unable to release either or both of them, then we also understand that the Indian Test series takes precedence.

"We are working alongside the ECB and the PCA and are in complete agreement with the way forward."

Both players will be named in the 15-man Crusaders squad for the Champions League.

Codrington added: "The Champions League agreement states that the sides competing must reflect the side that won the domestic competition.

"If England requires Shah and/or Strauss, we would be without three players from the side that won because Dirk Nannes is required by Victoria.

"The Indian Premier League sides have four overseas players and we only have one, so our point is that we wished to try and get closer to a level playing field.

"However, we are sure that the Champions League technical committee will look favourably on any request we make."

For further information ring Vinny Codrington on 0207 289 1300.