Surrey boss admits focus is shifting to Twenty20

Surrey boss Paul Sheldon believes that cricket's new mega-rich Champions League will accelerate the creation of specialist Twenty20 teams around the counties.

I think that is already beginning to happen," said chief executive Sheldon after it was announced that the club crowned world Twenty20 kings this October will take away a staggering £2.5million.

"There probably is a bit of a danger that some counties might put all their emphasis on Twenty20. If the money is that substantial why would you take the view that all you want to do is breed championship players, where there's no big prize-money, when you could earn your club £2.5m? I think it will change the whole landscape."

County cricket's top prize, both in terms of prestige and prizemoney (£100,000 this season), has always been the Championship. But this summer the biggest games will be the Twenty20 Cup semi-finals at Southampton's Rose Bowl on 26 July.

The two winning sides will play for £42,000 in the final and then, three months later, join their counterparts from Australia, South Africa and India in Dubai for an eight-team champions league offering a first prize of £2.5m and "significant sums" for finishing second, third or fourth.

Sheldon added: "I've always felt it very strange that we have such little prize-money in cricket so that it doesn't actually matter whether you come third, fourth, fifth or sixth, or fail to reach the quarter-finals of a cup.

"I think the players should have a much more substantial incentive, although obviously it will have to be worked out what goes to the players and what comes back to the club."

The Champions League stems from the Indian Premier League and has been talked about for several months. Just when it seemed nothing would be in place this year, officials from India, Australia, South Africa and England reached an agreement.

Next step for England is to beef up the Twenty20 Cup, though nothing will change in terms of format, prize money and the number of overseas players allowed [currently one] in time for this year's event, which begins on Wednesday.

"I just think it's a shame we are being led on all these issues," said Sheldon. "At the moment we are following, not leading."