The Champions Trophy 2006 schedule.When you already have World Cup, what is the need of a tournament like Knock out tournament (now called as  Champions trophy). That too
just 5 months before the World Cup in West Indies..??This is what critics had said when ICC announced the itinerary for the coming Champions trophy, to be held in India in October. There were also news that Australia and England will be keeping their star cricketers from this tournament to provide then enough rest before the Ashes series in November 2006. I can understand the critics as they have to have something to say about, otherwise there is no identity for them. And as far as English and Australian teams resting their cricketers in concerned, I am sure Australia won't be doing anything like that and will be sending their full squad to win this tournament which they have never won. As far as England is concerned, I feel they should rest most of their players as their is already no chance for them to win this Champions trophy. England is an improved side, but only in test matches. Their one day standard is still the lowest as even the West Indies surpassed them recently. Its good for them to present a better show in Australia in November rather than missing out on some hot players for the Ashes series because of a prestigious one day tournament.... When it comes to cricket, all they ever want to win is Ashes, so whats the point in shedding blood for something else..?? Following is the datewise schedule of the Champions trophy in October.
Notes :-
1) The groups have been made on the basis of ICC ODI ranking at the end of April month and that's why the last four on that list - West Indies, Sri Lanka,
Bangladesh and Zimbabwe have to play in the preliminary rounds first
and top of that round (Qualifier-1) will join Pakistan, South Africa
and New Zealand in Group B and Qualifier-2 with India, Australia and
England in Group A.
2) Top two from each group will qualify for the semi-finals and hope to get into finals at Mumbai on 5th of November. Have a question related to this ICC Champions trophy in India - try the Information bag. Related Articles |
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