The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are expected to meet in New Delhi on Saturday to discuss the implications of ICC's agreement with the Indian players. They are also likely to name the Indian squad for the Champions Trophy, which starts in Sri Lanka on Thursday. The Indian cricketers held a meeting with ICC on Wednesday, which finally allowed the warring parties to reach a compromise. In a statement after the meeting, Malcolm Gray, president of ICC, said that the official sponsors had been very understanding, and wanted India's top players to participate in the tournament. "We're now awaiting the final agreement of one sponsor to the proposed solution that will clear the way for the players to take their place in the squad - if the BCCI picks them."

Malcolm Speed, chief executive of ICC, offered clarifications on the two clauses in the contract which had displeased the players. "In relation to the six-months issue, the reality is that given the sponsor programmes being put in place, no sponsor is intending to use the players' images in this way and this clause will not become an issue for the ICC Champions Trophy.

"The 30-day exclusion period after the tournament has been reduced to 16 days, which is the day before the start of the India's second Test against West Indies. It's longer than the players wanted, but shorter than the ICC and its sponsors were seeking. It's a pragmatic solution to a difficult issue."

Speed also confirmed that ICC had been told by the Indian board to cease all negotiations with the players. "Having been instructed by the BCCI to no longer deal with its players, it's now up to the BCCI. Clearly, the option of India playing its best team is the best option for BCCI and ICC."

Denying earlier reports which claimed ICC had asked for compensation from the Indian board, Speed clarified: "There's no claim from the ICC or any other body for compensation against any board.

"Should a claim be made in the future, it'll be determined at that time if there is any merit in the claim and who, if anyone, would be responsible for the payment of any damages. The BCCI asked all other countries to give them a categorical undertaking that no future compensation claim could be made against the BCCI by any person or organisation in relation to the ICC Champions Trophy. All other countries declined to give the BCCI this undertaking."

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd