SA to host ICC Champions Trophy

Cricket South Africa has accepted an invitation from the International Cricket Council to host the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy from 24 September to 5 October.

After the Sri Lankan cricket team was attacked by terrorists in Pakistan at the beginning of March, the ICC decided move the event from Pakistan to Sri Lanka. Later, they decided to move it again, because of concerns about the weather in the island nation at that time of the year.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) was invited to host the Champions Trophy on 16 March and said it would look into the financial implications before making a decision.

On Wednesday, CSA announced that it will host the event, which pits the world's top 12 teams against one another in 50-overs-a-side competition. It is, in essence, a mini-World Cup.