Cricket News

As they shell out nearly $1bn on the inaugral Twenty20 Champions League...

You heard the one about the Asian broadcaster that pays $1billion for the rights to show the new Twenty20 Champions League?

No. How does that go?

Well, basically, ESPN Star have paid $1billion to own the commercial and marketing rights for the Twenty20 Champions League.

Right. I've got to admit to being a little disappointed at the punchline. Nonetheless, big news.

It sure is. It makes the Twenty20 Champions League the highest value cricket event on a per game basis.

Jees, that is barmy. What did the organisers say?

Erm, "This makes the Twenty20 Champions League the highest value cricket event on a per game basis."

Right. Without copy and pasting from a news source, remind me when it all kicks off?

It begins in December, and will include two teams from Australia, India and South Africa, one from Pakistan, and of course Middlesex from Blighty.

How come we only get to enter one?

Not entirely sure, but next year's tournament will be expanded to 12 teams, so I imagine we'll get more then.

Course it will. Then in four years time we'll have four counties from each country entering, including group stages and a tournament that drags on forever and gives non-champions the chance to win a trophy called the "Champions League".

Was that a dig at football?

That obvious was it...