Despite the furore going on all around it, the International Cricket Council has reiterated that it has no intention of amending its controversial contract, even if leading players refuse to sign and boycott next month's Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka? .

Malcolm Speed, ICC's chief executive, stressed that the contract would also remain in place for next year's World Cup in South Africa. "Any player who signs for the Champions Trophy is bound to play under those terms," Speed told reporters in Mumbai.

A number of players have refused to sign the contracts which they regard as being too Draconian, but Speed said that ICC would not permit any outside company to cash in on any of its events.

While he admitted that the contracts might be reviewed, he insisted that they would remain very much untouched. "There may be some minor changes," he said. "As we go through each event we will learn from the experience of running that event. We'll have feedback from players. But it'll substantially be the same because, having entered into the agreement, having guaranteed the sponsors they will have exclusive rights, there is not much room to move."

Asked whether ICC would act against any board which did not send a full-strength squad, Speed gave an ominous warning. "If that happens, it becomes a matter for the ICC executive committee," he said. Given that ICC is committed to giving its sponsors tournaments which include the world's best players, it is almost certain that it will act against any countries it sees as undermining its position.

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