Napier, March 28: The Indian Cricket League is on its last legs, according to former New Zealand player Mark Greatbatch.

"The players here (in New Zealand) have received letters saying that it's off," Greatbatch, who is also a selector for New Zealand Cricket, told this correspondent on Saturday. "They have been told they would be paid out this year and after that it's… (he made a cutting motion with his fingers across his throat to mean the end)."

New Zealand have quite a few players - fast bowlers Shane Bond and Daryl Tuffey; allrounders Andre Adams, Craig McMillan, Chris Harris and Chris Cairns; and batsman Nathan Astle - participating in breakaway league. All of them have been banned by NZC.

However, Bond has been the biggest loss for New Zealand in terms of active player talent. Will he be accepted back once the ICL folds up? "Well, he should be," Greatbatch said.