Mark Butcher, the former England batsman, has been approached to captain one of the sides in the breakaway Indian Cricket League (ICL), which is threatening the game with its biggest potential player split since the days of Kerry Packer. But it is unlikely that the ECB will stop anybody who joins from playing in this country.

With Lance Klusener, of Northamptonshire, already signed and two more county players – Niall O’Brien, the Ireland wicketkeeper, and Neil Carter, the Warwickshire all-rounder – confirmed last night as having received offers, the 20-overs tournament, which has already caused significant ructions on the sub-continent, is now impinging far closer to home.

Initial thoughts that the event in October would be simply an opportunity for retired players to make easy money were dispelled this week when Mohammad Yousuf and Inzamam-ul-Haq risked their Pakistan careers by joining India players, led by Dinesh Mongia and Deep Dasgupta, and others who are expected to challenge for Test places in the future.

The concerned boards of India and Pakistan have banned anybody who signs not only from their domestic competitions, but also from the national sides. There is no suggestion yet of England players breaking away; they are contracted to the ECB and well paid. Furthermore, the event will clash with commitments in Sri Lanka.

An ECB spokesman said: “If county players sign, then that is the time we would look at the consequences. Our position at the moment is just that the Indian board say the event is outside their remit. In the real world, with all the litigation, it would probably be very difficult to stop anybody from returning here.”

Six teams will be involved, each comprising four international and eight domestic players. Butcher, who made the last of his 71 Test appearances in 2004, has been identified by Tony Greig, the former England captain and one of the public faces of Packer 30 years ago, as a potential figurehead.

David Ligertwood, who represents Butcher, O’Brien and Carter through the athletes1 agency, said: “I don’tknow why the ECB would want to stop them playing unless they think it would annoy the Indian board. It sounds like this is going to be a big thing now and a great experience for the players.”

Backed by money from Zee Sports, which has been trying to win television rights to the leading cricket events for several years, organisers believe that the ICL will gain increasing credibility as it signs more international players. Brian Lara has agreed to play and Shane Warne is considering an option.

The ICC has said that it will not intervene and is leaving individual boards to respond for themselves. “Our executive board told the Board of Control for Cricket in India that it was up to them whether to recognise the ICL,” an ICC spokesman said. “We have told them that cricket should not suffer.”

Northamptonshire, who also employ O’Brien, were taken by surprise when Klusener signed for the league and will discuss the implications at their next committee meeting in September. Mark Tagg, the chief executive, said: “If he [Klusener] does not play in this, I assume he will play in South Africa. I don’t know if thereis any difference.”

The England one-day side reflected yesterday on one of their best performances in years after beating India by 104 runs at the Rose Bowl. Paul Collingwood, the captain, said: “We have played really well in the past, but the key is to achieve consistency.”

Ryan Sidebottom has been ruled out of the next two matches, at Bristol tomorrow and at Edgbaston on Monday, because of his side strain.

Stephen Harmison will miss the rest of the domestic season after scans confirmed a muscle tear in his lower back. The England Test fast bowler, who will be sidelined for six to eight weeks, has less than three months to prove his fitness for the tour to Sri Lanka.