Only 10 teams for this year's Champions League

There will be only 10 teams in this year's CL T20 as opposed to the 12 that participated in the inaugural in 2009, after the English Cricket Board(ECB) expressed their incapability to participate as their domestic season clashed with the tournament's dates.

English teams were forced out after their cricket board declined to adjust the dates of their domestic season to avoid a clash with the profitable league. The England and Wales Cricket Board had proponed the dates after being requested by the BCCI initially.

But when the Indian Board rejigged the Champions League T20 dates for a 2nd time, the ECB said it was left with no room to make adjustments again.

The tournament is a joint project between the cricket board of India (BCCI), Australia (CA) and South Africa (CSA).

Already nine of the ten teams for the tournament in South Africa, scheduled between September 10 and 26, are confirmed. Only the tenth team is to be known and that will be confirmed once the West Indian domestic T20 competition ends in July. The tournament will feature 23 matches, with the format, schedule and venues to be decided in the coming weeks.

The teams that have already qualified for the 2010 Champions League T20 are: Chennai Super Kings (India), Mumbai Indians (India), Royal Challengers Bangalore (India), South Australian Redbacks (Australia), Victorian Bushrangers (Australia), Warriors (South Africa), Highveld Lions (South Africa), Central Stags (New Zealand) and Wayamba Elevens (Sri Lanka).

Glenn McGrath set to replace Daniel Vettori for Delhi

The Delhi Daredevils are set to change the injured Daniel Vettori with Glenn McGrath in their squad.

The Daredevils' Chief Operating Officer, Amrit Mathur was quoted as saying, ""We have sought the approval from the organizers to replace the injured players and have given the names of McGrath and Yogesh Nagar, who were part of the new squad of 20."

The other players who are injured for Delhi Daredevils are AB de Villiers and Paul Collingwood.

The requests have just been proposed, and McGrath is expected to enter in Delhi pending their approval.

It may be reminded that after performing outstandingly in the inaugural IPL in India, McGrath was benched for the whole duration of the 2nd edition in South Africa 2009 and had even reportedly made comments about not returning for the IPL 2010. However, for now it seems McGrath is eager to fly in to the aid of Delhi.

No pressure on Deccan Chargers: Adam Gilchrist

Former Australian Opener Adam Gilchrist, who led the Deccan Chargers team to brilliance in the Indian Premier League-II earlier this year, is raring to imitate the feet in Champions League Twenty20, commencing from October 8.

Adam Gilchrist, who expressed watchful optimism about their performance in the upcoming 12-team tournament, insisted that the Hyderabad-based team is not moving any "extra burden" on the run-up to Champions League.

"I think there are expectations always at all times to do well," Adam Gilchrist said.

Meanwhile, the tournament is giving yet another chance to the controversial Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds to prove himself, as he is eyeing cashing in on the "benefit of taking rest".

Another member of the team, India cricketer VVS Laxman also said that his endeavour would be to put up his best in the upcoming tournament.

"I want to give my best in the tournament whenever I get the opportunity," he said.

Deccan Chargers would start their battle by taking on Somerset here on October 10.

Champions League Twenty20 teams and schedule 2009

Champion - New South Wales

Group-A: Deccan Chargers, Somerset and Trinidad & Tobago

Group-B: Eagles, New South Wales and Sussex

Group-C: Royal Challengers Bangalore, Cape Cobras and Otago

Group-D: Delhi Daredevils, Victoria and Wayamba

No.	Date	Match Details	Time (GMT)	Venue
1.	Oct 08	Bangalore Royal Challengers v Cape Cobras - Cape Cobras won by 5 wickets	14:30*	Bangalore
2.	Oct 09	Eagles v New South Wales NSW won by 53 runs	10:30	Delhi
3.	Oct 09	Deccan Chargers v Victoria Victoria won by 7 wickets	14:30*	Delhi
4.	Oct 10	Cape Cobras v Otago Cape Cobras won by 54 runs	10:30	Hyderabad
5.	Oct 10	Deccan Chargers v Somerset Somerset won by 1 wickets	14:30*	Hyderabad
6.	Oct 11	New South Wales v Sussex NSW won by 35 runs	10:30	Delhi
7.	Oct 11	Delhi Daredevils v Wayamba Delhi Daredevils win by 50 runs	14:30*	Delhi
8.	Oct 12	Somerset v Trinidad and Tobago TT won by 44 runs	10:30	Bangalore
9.	Oct 12	Bangalore Royal Challengers v Otago Bangalore won by 80 runs	14:30*	Bangalore
10.	Oct 13	Victoria v Wayamba Wayamba won by 15 runs	10:30	Delhi
11.	Oct 13	Eagles v Sussex Eagles win super over method	14:30*	Delhi
12.	Oct 14	Deccan Chargers v Trinidad & Tobago Trinidad & Tobago won by 3 runs	14:30*	Hyderabad
13.	Oct 15	Bangalore Royal Challengers v Victoria Victoria won by 7 wickets	14:30*	Bangalore
14.	Oct 16	Somerset v Eagles Eagles won by 5 wickets	10:30	Hyderabad
15.	Oct 16	Trinidad and Tobago v NSW TT won by 4 wickets	14:30*	Hyderabad
16.	Oct 17	Cape Cobras v Victoria Cape Cobras won by 8 wickets	10:30	Bangalore
17.	Oct 17	Bangalore v Delhi Bangalore won by 8 wickets	14:30*	Bangalore
18.	Oct 18	Somerset v New South Wales, NSW won by 6 wickets	10:30	Hyderabad
19.	Oct 18	Trinidad and Tobago v Eagles TT won by 24 runs	14:30*	Hyderabad
20.	Oct 19	Cape Cobras v Delhi Daredevils Delhi Daredevils won by 30 runs	14:30*	Delhi
21.	Oct 21	Victoria v New South Wales 1st semi-final - NSW won by 79 runs	14:30*	Delhi
22.	Oct 22	Trinidad and Tobago v Cape Cobras 2nd semi-final - TT won by 7 wickets	14:30*	Hyderabad
23.	Oct 23	Final - New South Wales v Trinidad and Tobago NSW won by 41 runs	14:30*	Hyderabad

* - Day night Match