Last updated: 7th June 2008
The finalists of this year's ECB Twenty20 Cup will have the chance to play for a $5million jackpot.
It was confirmed on Saturday that two counties will play in the inaugural Champions League competition against two teams from each of India, Australia and South Africa.
Original proposals were that the winners of the multi-national showdown would pick up a £1million ($2million) prize.
However, that has been increased to what for domestic cricket is a mind-boggling jackpot.
The event will take place in either India or the Middle East.
England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Giles Clarke and chief executive David Collier have been in discussion with their international counterparts this week.
The 15 matches will take place immediately after the end of the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, which concludes on September 28.
Shane Warne's IPL champions Rajasthan Royals and runners-up Chennai Super Kings will be joined by Victoria, Western Australia, the Titans, of Pretoria, and KwaZulu-Natal Dolphins.
"We are extremely grateful to our great friends from Australia, India and South Africa for their hard work and determination to get this tournament off the ground," said Clarke.
"The ECB Twenty20 Cup will be even more fiercely contested this season in the knowledge that the two teams who reach the final will qualify for the Champions League and the chance to win five million dollars.
"I am sure that the demand for tickets for this year's ECB Twenty20 Cup will be greater than ever."
| Fixture |
|---|
| Friday 5th December |
| Champions Twenty20 League |
| Middlesex vs Pretoria |
| IPL Jaipur vs Sialkot |
| Tour Match |
| TBC vs England |
| Saturday 6th December |
| Champions Twenty20 League |
| Pretoria vs Victoria |
| Natal vs Western Australia |
| Middlesex vs IPL Chennai |
| Sunday 7th December |
| Champions Twenty20 League |
| IPL Jaipur vs Western Australia |
| IPL Chennai vs Pretoria |
| Natal vs Sialkot |
| Monday 8th December |
| Champions Twenty20 League |
| TBC vs TBC |
| Result |
|---|
| Sunday 30th November |
| 1 Day Intl Series |
| Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka Sri Lanka won by 19 runs. |
| Friday 28th November |
| 1 Day Intl Series |
| Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka Sri Lanka won by 2 wickets. |
| Test Match Series |
| Australia vs New Zealand Australia won by an innings and 62 runs. |
| Wednesday 26th November |
| 1 Day Intl Series |
| India vs England India won by 6 wickets. |
| Test Match Series |
| South Africa vs Bangladesh South Africa won by an innings and 48 runs. |
| Monday 24th November |
| 1 Day Intl Series |
| Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka Sri Lanka won by 5 runs. |
| Sunday 23rd November |
| 1 Day Intl Series |
| India vs England India won by 19 runs. |
| Saturday 22nd November |
| 1 Day Intl Series |
| Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka Sri Lanka won by 9 wickets. |
| Thursday 20th November |
| 1 Day Intl Series |
| Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets. |
| India vs England India won by 16 runs. |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nottinghamshire | 15 | 178 |
| 2 | Somerset | 15 | 170 |
| 3 | Durham | 15 | 168 |
| 4 | Hampshire | 15 | 160 |
| 5 | Lancashire | 15 | 152 |
| 6 | Kent | 15 | 151 |
Ian Ward wraps up the domestic cricket season with praise for Durham and words of warning for Surrey.
Benedict is back with a stat to please Aussie captain Ricky Ponting after his side's Test draw with India.
Long-time leader Martin van Jaarsveld held on to win the PCA MVP award.
Middlesex will follow England's lead in not forcing any of its players to travel to India for the Champions League Twenty20.
Former England paceman Simon Jones will be fit for the start of the new season, according to Worcestershire.
Shaun Udal has confirmed that Middlesex will not be travelling to Mumbai for the Twenty20 Champions League.
Left-arm spinner Rob Ferley has rejoined Kent on a two-year deal from Nottinghamshire, while Rob Key has been reappointed captain.
Lancashire have strengthened their squad with the signing of batsman Adrian Shankar on a two-year contract.