Kallis obligated to play for Bangalore - Warriors chief

Warriors chief Dave Emslie has said Jacques Kallis' contractual obligations with Royal Challengers Bangalore did not give his home team much of a chance to retain his services for the Champions League T20. Contrary to Bangalore's statements, in which they hoped their overseas signings would pick their IPL team over their home team, Emslie said Kallis' IPL contract gave Bangalore the first rights over him should his domestic first-class team - Warriors from South Africa - and his IPL team both qualify for the tournament.

"Kallis' contract (with Bangalore) says if his IPL team gets into the CLT20 his team has the first option," Emslie said during a media interaction with Indian journalists. "For that we got $200,000. We would have wanted Kallis but the decision did not lay in our hands. We never had a choice."

Warriors coach Russell Domingo said "we always knew that Kallis will not be there...I am under correction. But I think Kallis' contract (with Bangalore) says that should Bangalore qualify for the CLT20 they have the first call on him. We might think it is crazy, he is a South African and his club Warriors is in the CLT20 but still he is playing for Bangalore but that's it."

Emslie added: "One can argue the merits of the case but that is the rule. They (CLT20) may be thinking of changing the rule in future."

Along with Kallis, Victoria's Cameron White - who was disappointed to miss out for his home team - and New Zealand Central Districts' Ross Taylor are the other two players who will play for Bangalore even though their home teams have made it through to the tournament.

Domingo said, "We don't pay big money, we can't compete with IPL teams. IPL dollars are going to get the first call. Money talks." The compensation, according to Domingo, was not a bad deal and Kallis' absence meant some of the younger players had a chance to shine. "It is a big attraction to get that money. It is not a bad deal as it was out of our control to get Kallis in our side... It gives a chance to youngsters like Colin Ingram. Kallis also did not play in some big matches last season but we still won domestic titles. We won the MTN domestic championship and Standard Bank Pro20 title without him."