Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming backed the Champions League Twenty20 concept despite the tournament not being able to match the success of the Indian Premier League.
“If you look at the influence the CLT20 has on some of the domestic teams from around the world, it is quite substantial,” he said ahead of his team’s 2014 clash against Dolphins in Bangalore today.
“Look at the New Zealand side, the Northern Knights, money is one incentive but the media attention they are getting in New Zealand is amazing. There is a financial benefit as well to all the teams in New Zealand so there is emphasis put on: number one, getting to the Champions League, and two, performing well because it has a very good spin-off effect.”
Fleming argues that there isn’t much more the organisers can do with the limited space they have in an already congested calendar.
“It, as a concept, is excellent. Does it reflect all the globe and does it have the percentages right? Not so much. If you had more time in a congested cricket window there would be another aspect,” he said.
“I’m sure the organisers would like to include other countries and expand it. But it’s just not possible with the amount of cricket that is being played. It’s possibly the best product that we give for now that represents a global competition.”
Former champions Chennai will be looking to get their CLT20 campaign back on track after losing their opener to Kolkata Knight Riders last week. Though their batting looks solid it is their death bowling which has been a cause for concern.