2008 Twenty20 Champions League

The 2008 Twenty20 Champions League is the first edition of the international club cricket tournament. It is due to be held in India between December 3 and December 10 2008. [ [http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/t20champions/content/story/365001.html Champions League in December] Cricinfo Accessed 14-08-08] The winners will earn around USD $6m. The tournament is expected to last ten days and consist of fifteen matches. [ [http://www.cricket365.com/story/0,18305,6575_3664409,00.html McCullum Hails Champions League] Cricket365 08-06-08 Accessed 08-06-08 ]

The Qualified teams are: [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/7441994.stm Cricket Champions League unveiled] BBC Sport 07-06-08 Accessed 08-06-08]

* Victorian Bushrangers AUS
* Western Warriors AUS
* Dolphins RSA
* Titans RSA
* Rajasthan Royals IND
* Chennai Super Kings IND
* Middlesex Crusaders ENG
* Sialkot Stallions PAK

These teams will be drawn into two groups, with a semi final and final following the knockout stage. [http://content-www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/311046.html Everything you wanted to know about the Champions League] Cricinfo Accessed 09-06-08 ]

England's Participation

The organisers of the tournament confirmed that any team competing would be banned from fielding players who have competed in the Indian Cricket League, a rival to the Indian Premier League. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/7468041.stm Champions League bans ICL players] BBC Sport; 22-06-08; Accessed 22-06-08 ] As a result of this, England's participation in the tournament was put in jeopardy. For the the 2008 season, 15 of the 18 counties fielded 25 players from the ICL. [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/359566.html Cricinfo - Top officials meet for 'basic discussions' ] ] On 24 July, 2008, IPL commissioner Lalit Modi confirmed their stance by stating that only Middlesex and Essex stood a chance of being invited to the Champions League because they didn't have ICL links. [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ci/content/current/story/362345.html Modi reiterates stand against teams with ICL links] Cricinfo; 24-07-08; Accessed 24-07-08 ]

References