Darren Maddy is an unlikely rebel. Warwickshire's captain has been a model professional throughout his career and is most uncomfortable with the predicament in which he finds himself.

As one of those who has signed up for the 'rebel' Indian Cricket League, however, Maddy is in conflict with the England and Wales Cricket Board.

The ECB are continuing to apply pressure on counties not to allow their players to take part in the ICL; the 'rebel' Twenty20 league that conflicts with the Indian domestic schedule.

Yet Maddy signed up months ago. At the time, no-one raised any objections and he is torn between honouring a legally-binding contract and incurring the wrath of his cricket board. To make matters worse, the ECB have suggested that any county with a player involved in the competition could be excluded from next October's Champions' League. They have also suggested that the national selectors will take a dim view of them.

"I don't want to get involved in the politics of the situation at all," Maddy said yesterday. "I just want to play cricket.

"I've never stepped out of line all my career, so it's a bit strange to be seen as some sort of rebel.

"I signed a contract with the Indian Cricket League a while ago. I'm meant to be flying out for a training camp next week and the tournament is scheduled to start on November 30.

"I just thought it was a wonderful opportunity for me to improve my game. If I'm in England, I will just go to the gym and have a few nets. In India, I'll be playing against former internationals in different surroundings. I thought it would be a very beneficial experience. I just want to be a better cricketer.

"The idea that my involvement could adversely effect Warwickshire is a worry. If there was any chance of my somehow hurting the club, then I wouldn't be able to go.

"But I have signed a contract with them and I don't know exactly what the position is at the moment. The one good thing is that Warwickshire have been very supportive through all this."

Although Maddy's Warwickshire contract covers the entire year, he has no central contract with the England & Wales Cricket Board. He is, in effect, a free agent at this time of year so if the ECB wish county players not to participate in the ICL they might have to consider compensation payments.

Not that Maddy is thinking about such matters. He simply wants to earn a living as a cricketer and, after an impressive return to the England side in the World Twenty20, retains realistic hopes of a recall to the full one-day team. "The one-day squad did very well in Sri Lanka so I don't suppose there will be many opportunities," he said. "But you never know. People suffer injuries. I'd love to play more for England and I'm doing everything I can. I'd hope any selection is only made for cricketing reasons."