Mumbai, Feb 27: Leg spin legend Shane Warne, who has been named the captain-cum-coach of the Jaipur franchise Rajasthan Royals team in the Indian Premier League, today demanded that the six-week IPL period be kept free of international cricket by the ICC.

"It will remain the number one priority of every cricketer to play for his country. That's why I want the ICC (International Cricket Council) to change its Future Tours Programme and ensure that when the IPL is held there's no international cricket.

"All the international players must be available to play in the IPL," the retired Australian leg spin great told reporters from Perth during a teleconference.

"IPL is a great concept and Twenty20 cricket is very exciting. We (players) are all thankful to India for this concept," said the world's second-best wicket-taker in Tests.

Warne, who still plays for Hampshire in English county cricket, said he was pretty thrilled and looked forward to taking part in the 44-day, 59-match IPL which pits eight Indian city-based franchises against one another.

"I am really excited in representing the Jaipur franchise and am bringing to the table the experience of having played international cricket for 20 years and the experience of having been the cricketer who has been part of a winning team (Australia) for the most number of times," Warne said.

"I also bring to the table my communication skills and want to help my team, which has some exciting players like Graeme Smith (South Africa), Younis Khan (Pakistan) and Mohd Kaif (India)," said the bowler who was named as one of the top five cricketers of the 20th century by Wisden. PTI