Former England captain Sir Ian Botham believes "greed" could ultimately kill international Twenty20 cricket.

The ICC World Twenty20 starts in the West Indies at the end of April, just nine months after the conclusion of the previous tournament in England.

On top of global tournaments each country has their own individual fixtures, causing even more congestion in the international calendar.

Botham, however, fears for the future of the format and thinks overkill could ultimately be destructive.

He told BBC Five Live: "I think it's great. Twenty20 has got a place to play but I think it should be played once every four years internationally.

"I think you should play as a franchise and at county level because it generates a lot of money and brings youngsters through the turnstiles.

"But we've got too much international cricket - then why play 2020 internationals - just keep it as a special, once every four years World Cup.

"We had one in June in England now there is another one in the Caribbean - it's greed.

"If you keep watching your favourite film every night it soon becomes your least favourite film.

"So watch out - they will kill the goose that lays the golden egg."

Earlier this week Surrey confirmed they were in talks with former West Indies batsman Brian Lara about joining them "in some capacity" which is thought to be related to the Friends Provident t20 competition.

Botham admits he was taken aback, saying: "He must need an adrenalin fix or something - I'm very surprised.

"It's his life - I wouldn't be doing it."

England pair Kevin Pietersen and Stuart Broad have been at odds recently over preparations for the West Indies with the former believing the bowlers should have warmed up in the Indian Premier League.

Botham, still England's leading Test wicket-taker, thinks that is down to personal choice but admits he would be worried if any player came back injured, especially given this winter's defence of the Ashes in Australia.

Turning his attention to the tour, the 54-year-old hopes England have learned from the 5-0 whitewash last time they played down under.

"I'd like to think we've all learned a very large lesson from that debacle in 2007," Botham continued.

"England turning up you'd have thought they were out for a little holiday in Australia.

"The truth of the matter is Australia from the moment they got on that plane to go home after losing those Ashes in 2005 were planning to get them back.

"They had boot camps, training sessions, we went over there and had a couple of warm-up games.

"It was remarkably naive and arrogant to think you could walk into Australia, into the lion's den - with a wounded lion - and turn up.

"Some of the guys hadn't even played in Australia. So I'm sure that lesson will have been learned and I'm sure England will prepare.

"I'd like to see them play a couple of state games before the first Test - if it's not too taxing."

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