Ponting, Flintoff approached to be CL T20 commentator

Australian captain Ricky Ponting and talismanic England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff may be seen in the new role of a commentator in the upcoming Champions League Twenty20 cricket tournament.

Both the star players have been approached by the Champions League organisers to be expert commentators during the tournament to be held at three different venues in India from October 8-23.

"We have approached Flintoff and Ponting to be commentators during the tournament. As great cricketers themselves, they will certainly add a lot of value," a Champions League source said.

Flintoff, who recently retired from Test cricket and has undergone a keyhole surgery on his knee, has not yet confirmed whether he can take up the assignment.

"We are looking at a mix of new and old commentators. Since the Champions League is a new tournament which is eagerly awaited by the fans, we are looking to bring some new faces in the commentary team," the source said.

The commentary team for the tournament, to be held in Delhi, Hyderabad and Bangalore, has not yet been finalised.

ESPN STAR Sports are the commercial and broadcast right holders of the USD six million tournament which will see 12 top Twenty20 teams from various countries taking part. 

The tournament will feature three Indian teams -- IPL 2009 winner the Deccan Chargers, runners-up Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Daredevils, which topped the league phase.

Other teams in the fray are Victorian Bushrangers and New South Wales Blues from Australia, Cape Cobras and Diamond Eagles from South Africa, Sussex and Somerset from England,  Otago Volts from New Zealand, Trinidad and Tobago from West Indies and Wayamba from Sri Lanka. 

The inaugural edition of the event was originally scheduled last year but was called off following the Mumbai terror attacks.