Champions League swells to 12

Middlesex, 2008 Twenty20 Cup winners, were ready for Champions League duty until the Mumbai terror attacks hit

The inaugural Twenty20 Champions League will be contested by 12 teams after the inclusion of four extra sides for October's tournament in India.

The domestic champions of the West Indies, New Zealand and Sri Lanka have been included in the revised format, with a third Indian Premier League franchise also involved in an event that boasts a US$6million prize fund.

That berth will be taken by Delhi Daredevils this year as they topped the group standings.

Otago (New Zealand), Trinidad and Tobago (West Indies) and Wayamba (Sri Lanka) are the champions of their respective countries, while both IPL finalists - Bangalore Royal Challengers and Deccan Chargers - will participate.

Victoria and New South Wales will represent Australia, with Cape Cobras and Eagles making up the South African contingent. Two teams will be gleaned from England’s Twenty20 Cup, which begins tomorrow.

The tournament was postponed in December in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks and will now take place from October 8-23, with fixtures being announced on June 23.

Lalit Modi, IPL commissioner and chairman of the Champions League, said: “The inaugural edition did not take place last year due to unfortunate circumstances but we are fully equipped this time around to conduct an extremely successful tournament.”

Deccan captain Adam Gilchrist said: “Champions League Twenty20 will provide a different level of stimulus as we will test our strength and our strategies against the best in the world.

“We are keen to make our club a global name and (there is) nothing better than winning the biggest league club cricket has to offer across the world.”