South Africa gear up for busy year

Cricket South Africa have finalised their plans to host the Champions Trophy later this year.

The tournament was originally scheduled to take place in Pakistan last September but was delayed because of the security fears of a number of competing nations.

Last month the ICC unanimously voted to switch the venue to South Africa, pending the approval of financial terms and the venues, which were confirmed today.

In a teleconference, the CSA board accepted recommendations from the ICC that Liberty Life Wanderers in Johannesburg and Supersport Park in Centurion will be the host venues for the competition, which will run from September 24 to October 5.

CSA chief executive Gerald Majola said: “The CSA board’s decision to accept the financial model from the ICC to host the ICC Champions Trophy means that South Africa has yet another jewel in its crown of hosting a major international sports event.

“This is ample proof that South Africa has become a major centre for world cricket which is particularly good at a time when the Proteas are playing their best ever cricket.”

South Africa is also set to host the Indian Premier League this year after security fears prompted the event to be moved.

At today’s teleconference, the CSA board also accepted the draft fixture list for the IPL, which begins in Cape Town on April 18.