Chennai: Here’s a brief compilation of all the venues where your team, the Chennai Super Kings, are scheduled to play during the league phase of the 2009 Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament commencing on April 18.

1.Kingsmead, Durban Located in a city known for its concentration of populace of Indian ancestry, Kingsmead has a capacity of 25,000 and is within walking distance of Durban’s famed Indian Ocean shoreline. It hosted its first one-day international in December 1992, but its first Test in January 1923. Kingsmead was also the venue of the famous "Timeless Test" played in 1939 (March 3-14) between England and South Africa. The match lasted for 10 days, but was eventually declared a draw as the English had to catch the ship home! The ground hosted the 2003 Cricket World Cup semi-final. Interestingly, it is widely believed that the changing tides of the nearby ocean helps swing bowlers move the ball nicely through the air. Chennai Super Kings matches (4): April 23 (vs Delhi Daredevils, 4 pm); April 27 (vs Deccan Chargers, 4 pm); May 14 (vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, 4 pm); May 20 (vs Kings XI Punjab, 8 pm).

2. Supersport Park, Centurion, Pretoria Considered as one of the best grounds in the world, Supersport Park is a 20,000-seater that boasts a wonderful grandstand and superb open grassed embankments. It hosted its first one-day international in December 1992 and its first Test in November 1995 with Shaun Pollock making his Test debut for South Africa against England. Although the Supersport Park pitch favours fast bowlers, it has proved to be an excellent one-day cricket ground, with a wicket that is conducive to free scoring. The ground hosted five World Cup matches in 2003, including two Super Six clashes. SuperSport Park has a minimum seated capacity of 17,500, including 69 hospitality suites, 32 embankment suites and 40 wheelchair spaces. On significant upgrades to the stadium, it boasts of a capacity to pour 9,000 beers per hour! Chennai Super Kings matches (3): April 30 (vs Rajasthan Royals, 8 pm); May 07 (vs Kings XI Punjab, 8 pm); May 18 (vs Kolkata Knight Riders, 8 pm).

3. Newlands, Cape Town Newlands is regarded as the most picturesque Test cricket venue in the world, with the mountains, shrouded in clouds, overlooking the ground shrouded in clouds. Newlands hosted its first one-day international in 1992 when Hansie Cronje captured 5 for 32 to help South Africa to a six-wicket win over India. It was a Test ground over a century before that, hosting the second Test between England and South Africa in March 1889. The stadium was the venue for the 2003 Cricket World Cup opening ceremony and the opening match of the tournament between South Africa and the West Indies. The islanders went on to score a shock victory against the hosts. Chennai Super Kings matches (2): April 18 (vs Mumbai Indians, 4 pm); April 25 (vs Kolkata Knight Riders, 8 pm).

4. St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth St George’s Park, also known as the Crusaders Ground, hosted the first ever Test match in South Africa and also outside of England and Australia, in March 1889. England beat South Africa by eight wickets. Curiously, the Park hosted the final Test in the 1969 series after which South Africa was banned due to apartheid. It was also the venue where India crashed to a shock 70-run defeat against Kenya in 2001. The park later hosted one of the semi-finals of the 2003 World Cup between England and Australia. In 1896 it witnessed one of Test cricket's most remarkable games. England's George Lohmann took 7 for 38 in South Africa's first innings and then 8 for 7 in their second as they were bowled out for 30. Chennai Super Kings matches (2): April 20 (vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, 8 pm); May 16 (vs Mumbai Indians, 4 pm).

5. Buffalo Park, East London It is one of the smaller grounds dotted with grass embankments and a 14,000 capacity, but the Buffalo Park offers a beautiful view with the ocean in the background. Of more significance is the stadium is the home of Chennai Super Kings strike bowler, Makhaya Ntini. It first tasted international cricket in December 1992 when India defeated South Africa in the seventh and final one-day international of their series. Later, in December 1994, Pakistani paceman Waqar Younis claimed a hat-trick against New Zealand, while in January 1999 Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Carl Hooper put on a fourth-wicket stand of 226 for the West Indies against South Africa. Incredibly, Shaun Pollock captured 6 for 35 for the Proteas in the same match! The ground hosted its first Test in October 2002 when South Africa thrashed Bangladesh by an innings and 107 runs as Graeme Smith hit 200 and Gary Kirsten, the present India team coach, 150. Chennai Super Kings match (1): May 04 (vs Deccan Chargers, 4 pm).

6. The Wanderers, Johannesburg The Old Wanderers first hosted Test cricket in 1896, when South Africa faced England and George Lohmann claimed 9 for 28 in South Africa's first innings to help the English to a convincing innings victory. The New Wanderers, also known as the “Bull Ring”, hosted its first Test match in December 1956, the first one-day international, between South Africa and India, in December 1992 and subsequently, the 2003 World Cup final. The Wanderers seats about 34,000 people and boasts 182 corporate suites. Considering its square of 10 pitches, fully-automatic irrigation system with underground pop-up sprinklers, an international standard drainage, the ground is rated as among the best in the world. Chennai Super Kings match (1): May 02 (vs Delhi Daredevils, 8 pm).

7. De Beers Diamond Oval, Kimberley Kimberley is more famous as the scene of the great Diamond rush in the 19th century. The cricket ground, De Beers Diamond Oval, has plenty of the grass banks that are so popular with the local spectators. It hosted its first one-day international in April 1998 when Pakistan overhauled Sri Lankan total of 295 to record a four-wicket victory to set the pattern for high scoring matches. The ground hosted three matches during the 2003 World Cup. Chennai Super Kings match (1): May 09 (vs Rajasthan Royals, 8 pm).