Jamie How reckons the ACLT20 will be a great opportunity for Central Districts players to test their skills against the best.

The second edition of the competition begins in Johannesburg this week with 10 teams - three from India, two from Australia, two from South Africa, one from Sri Lanka, one from West Indies and one from New Zealand - vying for the top prize.

Captain How, whose side won the HRV Cup Twenty20, said: "Every team here is here on merit. We see this tournament as a reward for winning our domestic Twenty20 tournament, and the other teams are here for the same reason.

"The fact that they're here means that they are very good teams, winning or finishing near the top of their individual competitions.

"Each of the teams has its strengths and weaknesses and we just have to be able to deal with those."

Central Districts, known as the Central Stags for the September 10-26 competition, are in Group A alongside South Africa's Warriors, Victoria of Australia, Sri Lankan outfit Wayamba and Indian Premier League (IPL) side Chennai, who they play in their opening game on Saturday.

Looking ahead to the opportunity, How continued: "It gives them the chance to show what they're made of on the international scene, and perhaps if they perform well, they might even have a chance of being picked up for one of the IPL teams.

"Both individually and as a team, we have a chance to pit our skills against the world's best, which is a very exciting prospect."

The Stags will be without three key players, though, Black Caps batsman Ross Taylor, who qualified and was chosen by Bangalore, as well as injured all-rounders Jacob Oram and Graham Napier.

How added: "Ross is certainly a big loss for us.

"He's one of our best players, and along with missing Jacob Oram through injury and Graham Napier through injury, it's been a big loss, but it also gives someone else an opportunity to step into their big shoes."

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