Thaindian News

Mumbai, Aug 27 (ibns) The inaugural Airtel Champions League Twenty20 is set to be the True Tournament of Champions following the naming of the preliminary squads.

Of the 234 players nominated by the 12 teams, 110 have already played international cricket for their respective countries.

If all of these players then go on to be included in their team’s respective starting XIs for the tournament from October 8-23, then more than 80% of players taking the field at the Airtel Champions League Twenty20 will have played international cricket.

Illustrating the quality of the world-class squads that have been named, New South Wales Blues and the Delhi Daredevils will each be capable of playing a team wholly comprising of international players. Wayamba, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Victorian Bushrangers meanwhile have 10 internationals each in their ranks.

The other teams have equally impressive line-ups. Trinidad & Tobago and Sussex feature nine players with international experience, while the Cape Cobras and Deccan Chargers have eight, Otago has seven and the Diamond Eagles and Somerset have four apiece.

Lalit Modi, Chairman, Champions League Twenty20 Governing Council, said:“The announcement of the preliminary squads ensures the first Airtel Champions League Twenty20 will be a true contest between the best of the best.

“A congregation of the world’s best players, playing for the world’s best domestic teams, vying for the ultimate prize to be crowned Champions - we could not have asked for anything more.

“The calibre of players named by the competing teams is extraordinary. We have World Cup champions, both in 50-over and Twenty20 cricket, international captains, legends of the game and some of the world’s top-ranked players.

“I’m certain that cricket fans around the globe will be treated to truly amazing cricket at the inaugural Airtel CLT20 when the first ball is bowled on October 8 at Hyderabad.”

Of the nine players eligible to play for multiple teams, only Dirk Nannes was nominated by two preliminary squads.

Dean Kino, Champions League Twenty20 Governing Council Member and Director of Legal and Business Affairs, said:“Dirk Nannes who was nominated by both the Delhi Daredevils and the Victorian Bushrangers, has informed Airtel CLT20 that he will play for his ‘away’ team, the Delhi Daredevils, rather than his ‘home’ team, the Victorian Bushrangers.”

“As a result, Delhi is required to pay US$200,000 compensation to Victoria according to Airtel CLT20 regulations.

“The other players who were eligible for multiple teams will compete for their ‘home’ teams in the tournament, while Dwayne Smith who was considered an ‘away’ player for both Deccan and Sussex, will represent his English team.”

Teams now have until September 7 to trim their squads to 15 ahead of the tournament.

An initiative of three founding members – the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Cricket Australia and Cricket South Africa - the Airtel Champions League Twenty20 is a platform where the world’s best domestic teams get the opportunity to pit their cricketing skills against each other.

The first edition of the league will be played at three venues – Delhi, Hyderabad and Bangalore – from 8-23 October, 2009.