The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Sydney

Australia captain Ricky Ponting said Monday that he and up to seven other players from Down Under were likely to sign up for the Indian Cricket Board's new Twenty20 competition next year.

"There are a few things from what I saw in the contracts and everything that need to be worked out and smoothed over before all of us sign but I think it will happen," Ponting told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.

"It's a very lucrative thing at the moment and a very attractive thing for four to six weeks out of your year."

Vice-captain Adam Gilchrist on Sunday became the first Australian player to confirm his participation in the league, ABC said.