England will warm up for their $20m showdown with the Stanford Super Stars later this year by playing the winners of this weekend's Twenty20 Cup.

The game is one of six matches in an expanded Stanford Super Series event, which is being held in the Caribbean.

England and the Twenty20 Cup winners will also face regional Twenty20 champions Trinidad & Tobago as well as the Stanford Super Stars in October.

Essex, Kent, Middlesex and Durham meet in Twenty20 finals day on Saturday.

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Stars out for Cannes first night ... The Twenty20 Cup finalists are already scheduled to take part in the planned Champions League, some time in the autumn.

Although details have yet to be finalised, David Collier, chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board, said he was hopeful the Champions League would still go ahead.

"We've had discussions during the week, I think it's well known there are some differences about rules and regulations which still have to be ironed out," he said.

"But certainly, we are hoping for two days in the sun, not just one."

"This (Stanford) game is obviously a great game for the counties to go to, but we're also hoping they will be representing us in the Champions League as well."

West Indies legend Richie Richardson added: "It's going to create interest and enthusiasm that's been lacking in West Indies cricket."

Stanford Super Series schedule:

25 Oct Stanford Super Stars v Trinidad & Tobago
26 Oct England v Twenty20 Champions
27 Oct Trinidad & Tobago v Twenty20 champions
28 Oct England v Trinidad & Tobago
29 Oct Stanford Super Stars v Twenty20 champions
30 Oct Rest day
31 Oct Legends Beach Cricket match
1 Nov Stanford Super Stars v England


(BBC)

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