South Africa confirmed as Twenty20 Champions League host

This year's Twenty20 Champions League will be held in South Africa, Cricket South Africa announced today. The tournament, which was hosted in India last year, will feature 12 teams, including three from this years' IPL, and take place across three venues, two of which will be the home grounds of the Standard Bank Pro20 finalists this year. It will take place from 10-26 September. The CSA president, Mtutuzeli Nyoka, said: "This is a prestigious tournament involving seven of the world's top cricket nations. It will be another feather in South Africa's cap as a host of world-class sports events and will not clash in any way with the Fifa World Cup 2010. It will also be a big boost to the local franchises, their players and supporters which will feature in the tournament." The participation of England players is in doubt as the competition clashes with England's one-day series against Pakistan, the final two rounds of County Championship matches, plus the semi-finals and final of the ECB40 competition. Lalit Modi, the Champions League commissioner, had said the dates were the only window available for the event, as India are due to play Australia in a one-day series in early October, and hoped the ECB could make minor adjustments to its domestic schedule. The ECB chairman, Giles Clarke, ruled out any changes. The Champions League Twenty20 is run by the boards of India, Australia and South Africa and its governing council comprises representatives from each board. Other countries participate in the tournament by invitation. South Africa hosted the IPL in 2009 after the tournament was moved out of India as it clashed with the country's general elections.