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Four top South African cricket venues have been chosen to host the 2010 Airtel Champions League Twenty20 (CLT20), which sees 10 premier teams from around the world playing for domestic Twenty20 cricket's richest purse.The CLT20 Governing Council today announced that Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, St. Georges Park in Port Elizabeth, Kingsmead Stadium in Durban and Centurion Park in Centurion will be the four host venues for the competition, which takes place from 10-26 September 2010

CLT20 Chairman, Shashank Manohar, said: "South Africa is widely regarded as a top international host nation, having successfully hosted most major international cricket events in recent years." The Governing Council is satisfied with the four venues that Cricket South Africa (CSA) have recommended."We are excited about the future of CLT20, and call on the South African public to come out and support the second edition of this tournament, which features the best of the best."

CSA CEO, Gerald Majola, said: "CSA is proud to be hosting CLT20 in what is an iconic year for South Africa with the Soccer World Cup currently being hosted here. We are encouraged by the eagerness of the four host venues to make this tournament a success.CLT20 has already piqued the interest of South African fans, especially with the Lions and Warriors having qualified for this prestigious event. We are confident of hosting a successful CLT20."

CLT20 features teams from India, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and West Indies, and will once again showcase a host of world cricket's biggest names - Tendulkar, Dhoni, Jayawardene, Steyn, Dravid, Tait, Duminy, Mendis, Kumble, Hayden, Taylor, Muralidaran, Pollard, Harbhajan, Oram, Malinga, Bollinger, Bravo, Afridi, Hussey, Jayasuriya, Bollinger.More than 75 percent of the participating players are expected to be the international stars of the game, making the tournament a true contest between the best of the best.

Nine teams have been confirmed, and only one place remains to be filled, with the West Indies' representative to be confirmed in late July. Trinidad & Tobago represented the Caribbean in 2009 and set the tournament alight with its brilliant run through to the final.The 2010 Airtel Champions League Twenty20 will feature 23 matches (the same number as 2009), with the tournament format and match schedule to be decided at the next CLT20 Governing Council meeting on June 28 in Singapore.

2010 Airtel Champions League Twenty20 - Host Venues

Centurion Park is situated in Centurion and is home of the Titans team, which include players like AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn. The stadium is highly regarded by international players, who enjoy the top class players' facilities. It attracts families who throng to the grass embankments which make up a large part of the seating area. The stadium has a capacity of 22 000, having recently erected hospitality chalets on the grass banks. The pitch offers a fair contest between bat and ball.

Kingsmead Stadium is home of the Dolphins team, which features players like Hashim Amla and Loots Bosman. Kingsmead has a capacity of 25 000 and has a good blend of old style architecture, modern stands and traditional grass embankments. The pitch offers a good contest between bat and ball, and favours the fielding side in matches with an early start. In 2003, Kingsmead staged a World Cup semifinal between India and Kenya. It also hosted group stage matches of 2007 ICC World Twenty20 and the 2009 Indian Premier League matches.

St. George's Park is home of the Warriors, who have qualified for the 2010 CLT20, after winning the Standard Bank Pro20 series. St. George's is famous for the enthusiastic band that plays during domestic and international matches. The stadium has a good blend of open space and covered seating and has a capacity of 19 000. The pitch is on the slow side and spinners usually favour the surface.

Wanderers Stadium is home of the Lions, who have qualified for the 2010 CLT20, by virtue of featuring in the final of the Standard Bank Pro20. The Wanderers stadium, also known as the Bullring because of its intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams, is South Africa's premier ground, with a capacity of 32 000. The stadium has hosted major events in the past, including the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup final, the 2007 ICC World Twenty20 Final and the historic 438 game between South Africa and Australia. The pitch is favoured by quick bowlers because of its pace and bounce.

2010 Airtel Champions League Twenty20 - Competing Teams· Chennai Super Kings (DLF Indian Premier League - India)

· Mumbai Indians (DLF Indian Premier League - India)
· Royal Challengers Bangalore (DLF Indian Premier League - India)
· Victorian Bushrangers (KFC Twenty20 Big Bash - Australia)
· South Australian Redbacks (KFC Twenty20 Big Bash - Australia)
· Warriors (Standard Bank Pro 20 Series - South Africa)
· Highveld Lions (Standard Bank Pro 20 Series - South Africa)
· Central Stags (HRV Cup Twenty20 - New Zealand)
· Wayamba Elevens (Inter-Provincial Twenty20 Cup - Sri Lanka)
· TBC (West Indies Domestic Twenty20 Champions)

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