The line-ups are complete for the long-awaited inaugural European T20 franchise competition (ETPL) which remains on course to start as scheduled on Wednesday August 26.

Significantly, though, there was no announcement of a broadcast deal for the tournament which was previously advertised.

A media briefing in a Dublin hotel on Monday announced Rahul Dravid as the main face and part owner of the last of the six franchises, the Dublin Guardians. The team will be captained by Indian all-rounder Ravi Ashwin.

The other franchises, already confirmed, are Belfast/Irish Wolves (public face, Glenn Maxwell), Edinburgh Castle Rockers (Kyle Mills and Nathan McCullum), Glasgow Cosmics (Chris Gayle), Amsterdam Flames (Steve Waugh) and Rotterdam Dockers (Jonty Rhodes).

Speaking at the announcement, Dravid said: “It’s absolutely brilliant to be involved. When I first heard about this it was really exciting.

“I’ve always loved the passion and energy of cricket in Europe, the passion with which the players play the game. That’s something we can grow and build. It would be a dream to see the talent on the world stage.”

Cricket Ireland chairman Brian McNeice described it as a landmark day for European Cricket.

“It’s going to make a huge impact across Europe. I am excited by the calibre of people who are backing the teams. It’s all about the visibility and development of the game in a region where it can grow.”

ETPL co-founder Abhishek Bachchan was also at the launch. “For ETPL, having legends like Rahul associated with this journey is incredibly special because our vision goes beyond building a league, it is about creating a platform that can inspire and nurture the next generation of talent emerging from Irish and broader European Cricket ecosystem.

“The response from the global cricketing community has been extremely encouraging. The coming together of icons like Steve Waugh, Glenn Maxwell, Jonty Rhodes, Chris Gayle, Faf du Plessis, Heinrich Klaasen, alongside Rahul Dravid reflects the belief in ETPL’s vision and reinforces Europe’s immense potential as cricket’s next major growth frontier.”

Among the other international stars expected to feature are Australians Mitchell Marsh and Tim David, New Zealander Mitchell Santner and England’s Liam Livingstone.

The tournament will begin in The Hague, before moving onto Clontarf with the final games being played in Malahide, concluding on Sunday September 20.