Cricket writer Adrian Seconi previews the inaugural - and lucrative - twenty/20 tournament.
Twenty/20 is fast becoming cricket's version of a lolly scramble, but until now the riches have been divided up among those lucky few fortunate enough to get a lucrative Indian Premier League contract.
But with the Champions League getting under way early tomorrow morning (New Zealand time), when Bangalore plays the Cape Cobras, that is all set to change.
The tournament features three IPL teams - Bangalore, the Deccan Chargers, and the Delhi Daredevils - and nine more sides from five other countries, including the Otago Volts.
With a whopping $US2.5 million ($NZ3.4 million) winner's cheque, more than just provincial pride is at stake.
For unheralded first-class cricketers like Otago's Greg Todd or Warren McSkimming, it is an opportunity to not only boost their bank balance, but also to demonstrate their skills in front of a global audience.
And competing against some of the world's best players will be a huge thrill and a priceless memory.
Most of the smart money is going on the home sides, but not everyone is convinced the Indian teams and their cricketing mercenaries will dominate the tournament.
Bangalore Royal Challengers coach Ray Jennings is doing his best to play down his side's prospects in the $US6 million twenty/20 tournament.
He is predicting a bumpy road for the three Indian Premier League (IPL) teams based on the premise the franchises are disadvantaged because they only get together for tournaments, whereas the first-class sides play as a group throughout the summer.
It sounds plausible, but a quick look at the team lists paints a different picture.
The Indian sides have an embarrassment of riches to call on and, with home advantage, shape as the teams to beat.
Jennings believes South Africa's Cape Cobras and the New South Wales Blues will offer the stiffest opposition.
"The sides that you play in Champions League are a lot better than IPL sides," Jennings told the Cricinfo website.
The teams that played together throughout the year had a culture in place, he added.
"But with IPL sides, there are players from around the world and that will be a problem."
Of course, a lot of those players have been honing their skills at the recent Champions Trophy in South Africa and will be in good touch.
South African trio Mark Boucher, Dale Steyn and Jacques Kallis joined the Bangalore squad earlier than anticipated when the Proteas were unceremoniously bundled out of the Champions Trophy.
Jennings can also call on the services of top-order batsmen Rahul Dravid (India) and Ross Taylor (New Zealand).
What Bangalore lacks in culture, it will certainly make up for in class.
The Deccan Chargers - the IPL champions - can expect similar service from its world-class line-up, which includes Adam Gilchrist, Andrew Symonds, Scott Styris, Fidel Edwards, Rohit Sharma and Chaminda Vaas.
The Delhi Daredevils have had their ranks depleted with South African batsman A. B. De Villiers, England all-rounder Paul Collingwood and New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori all withdrawing because of injury.
Former Australian opening bowler Glenn McGrath is set to replace Vettori in the squad pending approval from the tournament organisers.
Despite the losses, the Daredevils have an impressive top order in Virender Sehwag, Tillkaratne Dilshan and skipper Gautam Gambhir.
Both Australian sides will be competitive and should make the second round.
Arguably, New South Wales is in one of the weaker pools.
The Blues have a dangerous bowling attack, which includes Brett Lee, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark and Nathan Hauritz, and an explosive opening batsman in David Warner.
Victoria can also call on Australian batsmen Cameron White and David Hussey and ICC emerging player of the year Peter Siddle.
Former international Brad Hodge is also a key player in the line-up.
Otago has drawn a tough pool, which includes the Cape Cobras and Bangalore.
It has also been without its four Black Caps for the bulk of its preparation.
Brendon McCullum, Neil Broom, Ian Butler and Aaron Redmond were all part of the Black Caps' Champions Trophy campaign and arrived late in India.
But hopes are high Otago can build on its fine domestic form and upset some of the more fancied teams.
South African captain Graeme Smith's withdrawal from the tournament weakens the Cobras but with mercurial opening batsman Hershelle Gibbs and the elegant J. P. Duminy in the batting line-up, the men from the republic remain strong contenders.
Their countrymen, the Diamond Eagles, are not among the favoured teams.
Outside of South Africa, the line-up is not well known.
The two English county sides have played a wealth of twenty/20 cricket and cannot be underestimated.
With the likes of Luke Wright and Dwayne Smith, Sussex looks the better prospect.
But with classy openers Justin Langer and Marcus Trescothick, Somerset is more than capable.
Trinidad and Tobago will fancy its chances of getting through to the final eight, with classy all-rounders Dwayne Bravo and Keiron Pollard tailor-made for twenty/20 cricket.
Wayamba is led by former Sri Lankan international Jehan Mubarak, prolific batsman Mahela Jayawardene, spinner Ajantha Mendis and all-rounder Farveez Maharoof.
A fuller analysis of Otago's chances in the Champions League will appear in Saturday's Otago Daily Times.
