Sir Allen Stanford is set to pull out of the multi-million pound deal with the West Indies and England and Wales Cricket Boards, according to media reports.

The Daily Mail newspaper claims that Stanford has decided to dissolve his advisory cricket board, which comprises a number of Caribbean legends including Courtney Walsh and Sir Viv Richards, with a view to withdrawing from the sport altogether.

The poorly-received Stanford Super Series in Antigua earlier this year was treated with widespread contempt by the media and the public in England after a number of publicity gaffes by Stanford.

He was criticised personally after television pictures showed the Texan billionaire surrounding himself with the wives and girlfriends of the England team during a match - a move that was condemned by several of the touring party's players.

However, Stanford's withdrawal would still be a blow to the ECB and the WICB, who are both heavily reliant on the millions of pounds of revenue provided by the businessman as they look to keep pace with the financially bullish Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The BCCI's Twenty20 tournament the Indian Premier League is flourishing amid multi-million pound sponsorships and endorsements, and dwarfs Stanford's own $20 million (£13 million) October competition.

England would also suffer from a serious loss of face among the major cricketing nations after positioning themselves alongside the American.
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