India to clash with S Africa in Champions Trophy opener

World champions India will open the 2013 Champions Trophy in England and Wales with a clash against South Africa in Cardiff on June 6 next year. Meanwhile, hosts England will begin the tournament by playing defending champions and old rivals Australia at Birmingham’s Edgbaston ground. The Champions Trophy, the “mini World Cup”, features the world’s eight leading nations in 50-over cricket. “This will be a terrific opportunity for fans to see the world’s very best one-day sides in action over the space of less than three weeks and the fixture schedule has thrown up a host of exciting head-to-head contests,” said tournament director and former South Africa seamer Steve Elworthy, after the England and Wales Cricket Board released the fixtures on Tuesday.