Sharks and Sabres eyeing a chance at world glory
TWENTY20 kings Sussex Sharks and Somerset Sabres are preparing to take on the world’s best in India this week with the aim of becoming the first-ever Champions League winners.
Over £3.6m is up for grabs as 12 teams from the world’s biggest cricketing nations lock horns over 23 games for the inaugural prize.
Postponed last year following the Mumbai terror attacks, the Champions League finally gets underway today with Royal Challengers Bangalore taking on South African provincial side Cape Cobras.
The Sharks enter the tournament as domestic Twenty20 Cup winners and compete in Group B along with Australians New South Wales Blue and South Africans Diamond Eagles.
Runners-up, the Sabres, take on IPL champions Deccan Chargers and Trinidad & Tobago in Group A.
The 12 teams are divided into four groups of three with the top two qualifying for the second phase where they enter two groups of four.
The top two then enter the semi-finals with the final taking place on 23 October at Hyperabad.