SUSSEX’S Twenty20 hero Dwayne Smith could still play for the county in the £3.6m Champions League – despite being contracted to one of their rivals.

The 26-year-old all-rounder was man of the match for his blistering 59 as Sussex completed a clean sweep of domestic honours in the last three years with a 73-run victory over Somerset in Saturday’s Twenty20 finals at Edgbaston.

Sussex have also reached the inaugural Champions League and although Smith is with another of the qualifiers, Indian Premier League champions Deccan Chargers, I understand he is keen to play for the Sharks in the tournament.

The county are seeking clarification from the organisers but are quietly confident that Smith, who was left out of the Chargers’ team for both the IPL semi-final and final, will be in their team against New South Wales Blues and South Africa’s Diamond Eagles when the group stages, which will be staged in Bangalore, Hyderabad and Delhi, starts on October 8.

The 12 teams will be allowed to play up to four overseas players, clearing the way for Sussex to add Indian leg-spinner Piyush Chawla, who played for the county in June, to their squad.

The county have to name a provisional pool of 20 players this week which will then be whittled down to 15.

Skipper Mike Yardy said: “I am not 100 per cent sure what the situation is with Dwayne but it would be nice to have him.

When you go to a big competition like the Champions League you want to have your top Twenty20 players and Dwayne is certainly that. He has been fantastic for us with the bat and ball and also in the field.”

Sussex face Somerset again tonight in top-of-the-table Pro40 League clash at Taunton (4.10pm).