Former South Africa player Jonty Rhodes [Images] is keen on joining the breakaway Indian Cricket League (ICL), but is not sure whether he will be seen as a prospective candidate by the 'rebels'.

Rhodes, considered one of the best fielders the game has seen, said, ''I haven't played cricket for a long time, so obviously, it would depend.'' By giving a calculated response, Rhodes seems to be avoiding a possible political fallout from South African Cricket Board, similar to what is feared by Shane Warne [Images] and Glenn McGrath from Australian Cricket Board.

• BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah on the ICL

''I have a contract with Cricket South Africa. And Cricket South Africa's CEO Gerald Majola has said that he doesn't want South African cricket players to be going and playing anywhere,'' Rhodes was quoted as saying on CNN-IBN.

The South African team's current fielding coach carefully avoided the question whether he would join the ICL if offered a position, saying, ''And as far as I am concerned, I haven't played for a long time, so I don't think that the guys are going to be knocking at my door.''

Cricket boards of countries like Australia, New Zealand [Images] have already ruled that they would not allow any of their contracted players, at national and state levels, to take part in any tournament which does not enjoy official sanction by the International Cricket Council after Board of Control for Cricket in India refused to approve the league.

The Essel-promoted league has already roped in Brian Lara [Images] as their first major signing and are in talks with Aussie duo of Shane Warne and Glen McGrath [Images].