ICC Champions League Twenty20: South Africa

The build up to the ICC Champions League Twenty20 that will take place in South Africa from 10-26 September 2010 is causing excitement and hype among local and international cricket fans. The Airtel Champions League Twenty20 (CLT20) fever has hit the Rainbow nation and its fans and followers of cricket are expecting lots of entertainment and hitting from the teams that have qualified for this year's tournament. Speaking at the CLT20 cricket showcase, which was launched on 10 August, Cricket South Africa's President said: "We are honoured to be hosting the 2010 Airtel Champions League Twenty20. We have just hosted the Soccer World Cup and our country is on a high. This tournament is coming at the right time" (Supersport.com 2010).

The CLT20 essentially brings together the best cricketing clubs of cricketing nations across the world to compete in the world's most prestigious twenty over club tournament. The inaugural competition ,which took place last year in India, featured 12 club teams from 7 countries. Australia's New South Wales (NSW) took the honours of becoming the first champions of the tournament last year, with the South African club team, The Cape Cobras, coming out second best. Some have felt that The Cape Cobras were unfortunate in not winning the title last year.

This year's line up features mostly new teams, with title holders New South Wales (NSW) not competing this year because they did not make it pass the qualifying round in their respective country. However, the clash between the teams competing this year will nevertheless be exciting and entertaining, with the eventual winner claiming $2 500 000, and $1 300 000 going to the losing finalist. These substantial cash prizes suggests that the competition is funded and sponsored by wealthy and established companies and organisations that have an interest in cricket. The tournament will showcase some of the finest talent the cricketing world has to offer. According to CLT20 CEO Sundar Raman, South Africa is a sport loving country and has a good cricketing culture, which will result in fans attending the matches and supporting their respective teams and ultimately will support the tournament as a whole.

Tickets are currently available from computicket and at the various venues hosting the CLT20 cricket matches, such as Wanderers, St. George's Park, Centurion, and Kingsmead. Tickets are highly affordable, with prices starting from as low as ZAR30. For those who are attending the matches, caution is advised since the line up of big hitting cricketers that are taking part this year will ensure that cricket balls end up in the crowd.

References:

CLT20.com, 2010, CLT20 FAQs, http://www.CLT20.com, Accessed 25 August 2010

Supersport.com, 2010, Champions League T20 fever hits SA, http://www.supersport.com, Accessed 25 August 2010