Cricket NSW selectors have named an extremely strong squad for the Champions League tournament in India next month. Winners of the tournament in its inaugural year in 2009, the RTA SpeedBlitz Blues will be looking to make amends for being unable to defend their title last year, by making a strong impression this time around. The squad will be led by Simon Katich and contains 11 players who have represented Australia at senior level and six who have played Test cricket.
10 members of the squad were part of the group that won the tournament in 2009.

Excellent experience and depth will be added to by the selection of some exciting young fast bowlers, with 18 year old Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, backed up by the experienced Stuart Clark.

A strong batting line-up headed by David Warner and Shane Watson, will be supplemented by three quality spinners in Nathan Hauritz, Steven Smith and Stephen O’Keefe. Daniel Smith will take the wicket-keeping role.

Doug Bollinger (Chennai), Brett Lee (Kolkata) and Brad Haddin (Kolkata), were not available as they have been selected to play in the Tournament by their Indian Premier League franchises.

The full squad of 15 is :
Simon Katich (c)
Stuart Clark
Patrick Cummins
Nathan Hauritz
Josh Hazlewood
Moises Henriques
Phillip Hughes
Nic Maddinson
Stephen O’Keefe
Ben Rohrer
Daniel Smith
Steven Smith
Mitchell Starc
David Warner
Shane Watson

The RTA SpeedBlitz Blues start the tournament with a match against the Cape Cobras on Saturday 24 September. Group match fixtures are listed below :
Sep 24, 2011  Cape Cobras v RTA SpeedBlitz Blues  Chennai (Start – 8-30 pm Sydney time), Sep 28, 2011  RTA SpeedBlitz Blues v Qualifier  Chennai (Start – 8-30 pm Sydney time), Oct 02, 2011  Mumbai Indians v RTA SpeedBlitz Blues  Chennai (Start – 8-30 pm Sydney time), Oct 04, 2011  Chennai Super Kings v RTA SpeedBlitz Blues  Chennai (Start – 12-30 am Sydney time – Wednesday 5 October)