South Africa confirmed as Champions Trophy hosts

South Africa will host the 2009 Champions Trophy in Johannesburg and Centurion from September 24 to October 5, Cricket South Africa has confirmed. The decision was taken after a teleconference on Wednesday during which the CSA board approved the ICC's financial terms to host the tournament.

"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," CSA chief Gerald Majola said. "The confirmation of Supersport Park and Liberty Life Wanderers as the two venues of this tournament is just reward for the outstanding cricket events that they have hosted over the past decade."

The Champions Trophy was originally scheduled to be held in Pakistan in 2008 but it was postponed to 2009 because of problems regarding security. In February 2009, the ICC removed the tournament from Pakistan because of safety concerns and said that Sri Lanka, which was the reserve venue, would be the host. However, in March, the ICC's chief executives committee recommended that the Champions Trophy be shifted to South Africa following concerns over weather conditions in Sri Lanka in September.