Sir Allen Stanford apologises for getting too close to WAGS

Sir Allen Stanford, the Texan billionaire who is making cricketers rich with his controversial Twenty20 tournament in Antigua, has apologised to England captain Kevin Pietersen after he was caught on television (see video, below) flirting with the wives and girlfriends of the England players.

Stanford, 58, was seen to grab and put Emma Prior (pictured), the wife of wicketkeeper Matt Prior, on his lap before putting his arm around Alastair Cook's girlfriend during England's match against Middlesex - who as Twenty20 county champions were invited to play in the tournament - on Sunday evening.

The incident was captured by television cameras at the game at Antigua's St John's ground. It seemed a good-natured incident at the time and the players' wives smiled and went along with the fun. But it seems his touchy-feely behaviour went down badly. One unnamed England player said last night: "If that was my wife and he put her in his lap I would have wanted to punch him."

Stuart Broad, the England bowler, said: "There were a few gobsmacked faces. I did not see it because I was bowling at the time but I think Matt Prior had a look of shock on his face."  Stanford - who has agreed to pay each player in the winning team next Sunday $1m - is said to have apologised privately to Prior and Pietersen for his behaviour. ·