KEY POINTS:
It's not if, but where.
Otago's impressive start to the State Twenty20 competition has only added impetus to the intrigue surrounding which team Brendon McCullum will play for in October's Champions League.
Having already qualified for the Big Dance with his newly, and controversially, adopted New South Wales, McCullum could feasibly qualify with both Otago and Kolkata Knight Riders.
While a New Zealand team has yet to be confirmed, the likelihood is that the State Twenty20 champions will be in India in October 4, fighting for the US$2 million ($3.8 million).
It is New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan's belief that McCullum's first priority is the team that plays under the banner of his home board, Otago, but that he could be transferred to either NSW or Kolkata for US$200,000 ($392,000).
"A couple more wins and I will have to start looking at the situation closely," wrote Otago chief executive Ross Dykes in an email to the Herald on Sunday.
"I need to check to see if there are any regulations that might give the IPL team the first option of playing him. The other consideration is that Baz [McCullum] is actually contracted to New Zealand Cricket so I suspect they would need to be very much party to the discussions."
Incidentally, Otago also has Dimi Mascarenhas as an important cog, but as he is also a Rajasthan Royal and plays for Hampshire, Otago would need to fork out a transfer fee to secure his services if either of those two sides qualified, an outlay they would likely be unable to afford.
The domestic Twenty20 competition started last week and although the winner has not yet been confirmed in the Champions League, the hype has very much surrounded "the bash for cash" in India, with a total prize pool of $10m. It is an alluring prospect for traditionally cash-strapped major associations. Talk that Twenty20 is but a frivolous exercise in marketing will hold no water with the six CEOs around the country.
It is why Canterbury and Auckland were so quick to jettison Chris Harris and Daryl Tuffey respectively when the possibility that their Indian Cricket League links could see any team that fields them barred from the Champions League. Hamish Marshall and Shane Bond have been cleared because they were part of the initial ICL signing made before it was deemed a "rebel" league. Marshall has ended his contract with the Royal Bengal Tigers and Bond is in the midst of his three-year deal with the Delhi Daredevils.
Should Bond sign an extension with the Daredevils, his involvement with Canterbury in the State Twenty20 would see them barred from the Champions League.
With the riches on offer, Dykes has expressed concern about potential turmoil down the track as Champions League participation becomes a reality rather than a concept.
"At this stage the most important thing for me is that NZC (the parent body and the Major Associations) establish a policy that ensures we don't get into a situation of one major association attracting the cream of our players simply to qualify for the Champions League.
"That would not serve the local game well."
Meanwhile leaders Otago and Auckland have key games today - against Central Districts (at Pukekura Park) and Canterbury (at Eden Park) respectively while Wellington take on Northern at the Basin Reserve.
Auckland stayed at the top of the table - although second in run rate - with Otago after an 18-ball frenzy by Luke Vivian saw him score 55 not out to get Auckland home against Central with six wickets and seven deliveries to spare, chasing 185.
Otago humiliated Wellington, hitting 215 for six and then dismissing the Firebirds for 98 while Canterbury got the better of Northern in a low-scoring match, winning by four wickets.
