Champions League Twenty20 launched

Wed, Aug 11 10 01:21 PM

Johannesburg, Aug 11 (PTI) The second edition of the multi-million dollar Champions League Twenty20 was launched here in a glittering function attended by top officials of Cricket South Africa and star players including retired spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan. CSA president Dr Nyoka, secretary Gerald Majola and CL T20 CEO Sundar Raman unveiled the glittering trophy of the USD six million prize-money Twenty20 tournament to be held for the first time in South Africa, at a city hotel last night. South African players Jean-Paul Duminy, Alviro Petersen, Albie Morkel, Wayne Parnell and Makhya Ntini were also present. Raman said India will continue to be represented in future by three teams while two teams from Australia and South Africa, the two other founder members, will take part. "We have a 10-year contract with ESPN Star Sports. The number of matches will remain 23 but regarding the increase in number of teams that is the decision of CLT20 council. Three teams from India, two each from South SAfrica and Australia will take part in future tournaments also. The other teams were on invitational basis," he said. Dr Nyoka said the tournament should be a success considering the organisational capacity of South Africa to host global mega events. "We have proved that South Africa has the capacity to hold global events and so there should not be any doubt that this tournament will be a success too. We are happy to have this event here," he said. Majola said SA looks forward to holding five such tournaments under the terms agreed by the three founding members of India, South Africa and Australia. "We are ready to hold five tournaments here. India hosted the first tournament and it will be a big event this time also," he said. Meanwhile, the CLT20 organisers announced that South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis, New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor and Australian Cameron White will play for Bangalore Royal Challengers after the team paid USD 200,000 to the home sides of Warriors of South Africa, Central Stags of New Zealand and Victoria Bushrangers of Australia.

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