What is Champions League Twenty20?
Champions League Twenty20 (CLT20) is an initiative of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Cricket Australia and Cricket South Africa that brings together the best domestic clubs from across the world in a battle for Twenty20 honours. The inaugural competition featured 12 sides from seven nations and was held in October 2009 in India. New South Wales Blues, the side from Australia led by Simon Katich, emerged winners of the tournament. In 2010, CLT20 moved to South Africa where 10 sides from six nations locked horns at four venues. IPL 2010 winners Chennai Super Kings, led by MS Dhoni, reigned supreme after a fortnight of top notch competition.
This year, CLT20 returns to India with a pre-tournament qualifier making it possible for more teams than ever to be part of the race for the title. CLT20 2011 will follow the same format as 2010 and will be held in Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata from September 23 to October 9. Before the tournament kicks off, six teams will face off in a qualifier in Hyderabad from September 19-21. The three top teams from here will join seven already confirmed teams making it a 10-team tournament.
Which teams will participate in CLT20 2011?
Seven high-calibre teams have already been invited to participate – South Australian Redbacks and NSW Blues from Australia, Warriors and Cape Cobras from South Africa, as well as the top three sides from the 2011 IPL, Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians.
The seven teams that have already qualified are among the elite domestic T20 line-ups in the world. Each has competed in previous CLT20 tournaments, and with the exception of Mumbai Indians, all have reached the semifinal stage or better in the first two years of this tournament. The lineups already contain the 2009 (NSW Blues) and 2010 (Chennai Super Kings) champions and 2010 Runners-Up (Warriors), proving CLT20 is a true reflection of the world’s elite domestic T20 teams.
Kolkata Knight Riders (fourth, IPL), Trinidad and Tobago (champions, West Indies), Auckland Aces (champions, New Zealand), Ruhunu Eleven (champions, Sri Lanka) have been invited to participate in the qualifier while the winners and runners-up of the England domestic competition are awaited. The top three teams at the conclusion of the qualifier will advance to the main tournament. The format for the qualifying tournament is available here
Competing Teams
Qualifier
- Kolkata Knight Riders (IPL)
- Trinidad and Tobago (West Indies)
- Auckland Aces (New Zealand)
- Ruhunu Eleven (Sri Lanka)
- England 1 (Team tbc)
- England 2 (Team tbc)
2011 Champions League Twenty20
- South Australian Redbacks (Australia)
- NSW Blues (Australia)
- Warriors (South Africa)
- Cape Cobras (South Africa)
- Chennai Super Kings (India)
- Royal Challengers Bangalore (India)
- Mumbai Indians (India)
- 3 x Qualifier (Teams tbc)
What is the format of the 2011 tournament?
The top three teams from the qualifier will join three IPL teams, two T20 teams from Australia and two from South Africa in the main event. As in 2010, the 10 teams will be divided into two groups of five, and the top two sides from both groups will play the semifinals.
For the complete schedule,click here
What are the venues for games this year?
Bengaluru will host the inaugural game on September 23 and along with Chennai will host a semifinal. The 2011 CLT20 Final will be played in Chennai on October 9.
For the complete schedule,click here
What are the match-timings?
Matches will be played at 1600 and 2000 hours Indian Standard Time
How much money does the tournament offer winning and other competing teams?
Winning team - USD 2,500,000
Losing finalist - USD 1,300,000
Losing semifinalists - USD 500,000 each
Teams finishing fifth to 10th - USD 200,000 each
What makes CLT20 different from other Twenty20 competitions?
CLT20 can be viewed as the World Cup of club cricket. It is a platform for domestic/club players, preparing them for the next step – representing, or performing even better for, their countries. It is the perfect training camp where youngsters rub shoulders with experienced international in a competition with wide international appeal.
CLT20 is the most lucrative T20 club cricket tournament in the world, designed to benefit domestic clubs - a great boost for the game.
Who heads the CLT20 organising committee?
Mr. N Srinivasan, Honorary Secretary and President Elect of BCCI, is the Chairman of CLT20.
What are the rules governing the CLT20 competition?
CLT20 follows regulations which are not dissimilar from any international cricket tournament in this format.
What are the rules governing players who represent more than one club that is competing in the tournament?
If a player is selected to play for an ‘away’ team rather than his ‘home’ team (the team from the country he is eligible to represent in international cricket), the ‘away’ team must pay USD 150,000 as release fee to the ‘home’ team.
‘Away’ teams are not eligible for compensation if a player chooses to play for his ‘home’ team.
What are the provisions for abandoned matches?
Points from abandoned matches will be split equally between teams.
What happens in case of a tie?
The Super Over will decide the winner in case of a tie. Please refer to Appendix 8 of the CLT20 Match Playing Conditions for details.
Who will form the core of the umpiring and refereeing team of the tournament?
The tournament will feature the best Indian and international umpires and match referees.
Who takes a call on a player’s suspect bowling action?
The on-field umpire will take action in the case of suspect bowling action. Once he has reported the matter, the player will be referred to the technical committee (made up of eminent members of the various boards) for corrective action.
