Melbourne, Feb. 12 : A group of former Australia cricketers have been told that their six-figure contract fees are not under threat despite the rebel Indian Cricket League postponing next month''s tournament.

Former Australia players Michael Kasprowicz, Jimmy Maher, Ian Harvey, Stuart Law, Jason Gillespie and Damien Martyn were told by e-mail this week that the ICL''s March tournament would not take place.

ICL board member Dean Jones said the world''s financial crisis and the fact that the India cricket team''s tour of New Zealand had been lengthened, would have clashed with the ICL. Jones said the tournament would be played later in the year.

"The financial crisis played a part, but mainly we didn''t want to clash with India''s New Zealand tour," Fox Sports quoted Jones, as saying.

"The tournament will be played later in the year - absolutely. I am very confident," he added.

The ICL, started by television mogul Subhash Chandra after his bids for Indian cricket rights were constantly rejected, is considered a rebel league and its players are banned from participating in mainstream first-class cricket by most nations. (ANI)