The ECB says that county teams will be unable to compete at this year's Airtel CLT20 due to a mooted change of dates for the tournament.

The Champions League governing council met today in Dubai with the ECB believing a resolution has been made to move the second edition of the competition forward a week to September 10-26.

That change in dates would deny the two teams that qualify from the Twenty20 Cup their chance to appear at the lucrative tournament in India as it overlaps with the end of the county season.

The ECB is still awaiting formal notification of the dates from the Champions League governing council, which is comprised of members from India, Australia and South Africa's governing bodies.

But it is believed the change has been made to accommodate the scheduling of the India-Australia one-day international series and allow players from those countries to take part.

The ECB today released a statement to express their concerns and plan to meet the council in Dubai later this week to discuss alternative dates.

"ECB has expressed serious concern to the BCCI, CA and CSA concerning this decision and the matter will be discussed with the respective chairmen and presidents who are currently meeting in Dubai," the ECB statement read.

"The governing council are aware that this proposed scheduling coincides with the final two rounds of County Championship cricket, the semi-finals and final of the ECB 40 Over League and the NatWest ODI Series between England and Pakistan.

"ECB believes that it would be a great shame for the Champions League tournament to be deprived of teams and players by this change of date in bringing forward the respective events by a week and has called on BCCI to review all alternatives."