NEW DELHI, India (CMC):

The controversial Indian Cricket League swung into action on Friday with preparatory camps being launched across various cities, but there was still no sign of former West Indies batting star Brian Lara.

Though several of the international players attended the practice sessions, the 38-year-old master batsman was a no-show.

Pakistani batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq, who quit international recently, was also absent from the camp, expected to run for 10 days in the build-up to the tournament.

Media reports here this week said Lara had conveyed to tournament organisers Essel Group through his lawyers in London, his decision to pull out of the Twenty20 Championship slated to be played from November 30 to December 16 at Panchkula, near Chandigarh.

Tournament organisers, however, dismissed these reports and assured that Lara would arrive as scheduled for the start of the tournament.

Lara, who holds the record for the highest Test and first class scores, along with the most career runs in Tests, was announced this week to represent the Mumbai Champs in the lucrative inaugural tournament.

Warm up

Inzamam, who has been named to captain Hyderabad, was expected to join the camp yesterday.

South African left-arm spinner Nicky Boje, one of the international players warming up for the tournament, said he was excited by the tournament but said there was a sense of betrayal back in South Africa.

"The Twenty20 format is exciting and it is a great feeling to be part of this. Some of the best players against whom we have played, will now be our teammates," said Boje, who played 43 Tests and 115 one-day internationals.

"There is a sense of betrayal among some people back home. But we knew it was going to happen, even as we are excited about playing in this league."

The ICL has come under fire from the Indian Cricket Board who have threatened to ban players who sign up for the league. They have also launched a their own Twenty20 league, the Indian Premier League, to counter the ICL.

Sri Lankan authorities have also said they will ban any of their players who also join the ICL but former Sri Lankan all-rounder, Upul Chandana, became the first player to defy the threat when he signed for the league this week.