Cricket's Champions League could see County Championship players offered the kind of money available in the Indian Premier League.

The new competition, contested by teams from England, Australia, India and South Africa will feature a £2.5million prize for the winners.

The money could change the face of cricket in this country as counties chase the financial rewards.

And Somerset chief executive Richard Gould admitted to Sky Sports News: "We've already had some discussions and we're basically looking to mirror what the IPL contracts are."

He added: "It was first mooted at the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa and it's taken a while but now it's there, I think it's brilliant for club cricket.

Kent wicketkeeper Geraint Jones predicted tough negotiations between the counties and the players.

He said: "That's a question that has to be sorted out, now it's such a big pot to split."

Jones, however, does not believe the County Championship will suffer unduly as club realign their priorities to focus on the Twenty20 competitions.

The former England wicketkeeper added: "I don't think so. The Twenty20 we play for a month in the season, so it is fairly easy to concentrate on that and it doesn't really go into too many other forms of the game.

"You just focus on those next few weeks, especially now if there is that pot of gold at the end."

Kent won the Twenty20 Cup last year and Jones believes his team-mates will now be doubly determined to repeat the feat.

He told Sky Sports News: "It is a massive incentive. It is also exciting to think there is that opportunity at the end if you get through and win it like we did last year.

"It is going to add a bit of spice with the Twenty20 starting next week."