Champions Trophy: Countdown begins for clash of Titans
The host South Africa is taking on Sri Lanka in the inaugural match of the high adrenaline cricket tournament. When the first ball of the Champions Trophy is bowled on Tuesday, then there will be a thrilling fight between the bat and ball.
THE LONG wait for Champions Trophy (Mini World Cup) is almost over as the mega sports event is going to flagged off at SuperSport Park (Centurion) in South Africa. The host South Africa is taking on Sri Lanka in the inaugural match of the high adrenaline cricket tournament. While South Africans have not played any international match since the WorldTwenty20 in June 2009, and looking fresh and raring to go, Sri Lanka on the other hand is highly optimistic with its recent success against New Zealand.
Established in 1998 as the ICC Knock Out tournament, Champions Trophy is the next big event after World Cup. Organised once in every two years, Champions Trophy has been held in 1998 (Dhaka, Bangladesh), 2000 (Nairobi, Kenya), 2002 (Sri Lanka), 2004 (England) and 2006 (India). However, the sixth edition of the Champions Trophy that was earlier scheduled in 2008 in Pakistan was postponed due to security reasons. After series of talks, on ICC’s recommendations in April 2009, South Africa confirmed that it will host Champions Trophy.
In 2009, eight highest-ranked ODI teams are taking part and 15 matches will be played. Starting on September 22, 2009, the Champions Trophy will commemorate with the finals of October 5,2009. Divided in two categories, each team will play three matches in the league matches and best four teams will further fight in the semifinals for the finals.
When the first ball of the Champions Trophy is bowled on Tuesday, then there will be a thrilling fight between the bat and ball. Known for losing the crucial games, South Africa has hosted two major ICC events, namely 2003 World Cup and 2007 World Twenty20 Cup. In 2003 World Cup, the Proteas badly crashed out against Sri Lanka due to the Duckworth-Lewis system. In 2007, once again South Africa was dramatically dumped in the semifinals of inaugural World Twenty20 tournament. Now this time, the hosts are desperately hoping for being lucky and winning the major ICC cricket tournament.
Though running through a bad phase, the defending Champions Australia is a hot favourite and looking confident after 6-1 win against England. Similarly, the current World’s No. 2 team India, which has once won the title in 2002 is also eyeing for Champions Trophy. Mahendra Singh Dhoni led Team India has out- staged Sri Lanka in the finals of Compaq Cup. Under Dhoni’s captaincy India had shown admirable consistency in the last 18 months and had scored many wins. Despite the 103-run loss against New Zealand in a practice match, Team India is looking quite confident for lifting the Champions Trophy.
As per stats, no team has won Mini World Cup twice and among the participants Pakistan and England have never won the title. India couldn’t get past the initial stages in last two editions of Champions Trophy. This time the team has quality players and the excellent forms of veterans Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid in ODI tournament in Sri Lanka have raised the hopes. Only the team needs lots of discipline and excellent display on the field to win the Champions Trophy. Let us keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best.
In 2009, eight highest-ranked ODI teams are taking part and 15 matches will be played. Starting on September 22, 2009, the Champions Trophy will commemorate with the finals of October 5,2009. Divided in two categories, each team will play three matches in the league matches and best four teams will further fight in the semifinals for the finals.
When the first ball of the Champions Trophy is bowled on Tuesday, then there will be a thrilling fight between the bat and ball. Known for losing the crucial games, South Africa has hosted two major ICC events, namely 2003 World Cup and 2007 World Twenty20 Cup. In 2003 World Cup, the Proteas badly crashed out against Sri Lanka due to the Duckworth-Lewis system. In 2007, once again South Africa was dramatically dumped in the semifinals of inaugural World Twenty20 tournament. Now this time, the hosts are desperately hoping for being lucky and winning the major ICC cricket tournament.
Though running through a bad phase, the defending Champions Australia is a hot favourite and looking confident after 6-1 win against England. Similarly, the current World’s No. 2 team India, which has once won the title in 2002 is also eyeing for Champions Trophy. Mahendra Singh Dhoni led Team India has out- staged Sri Lanka in the finals of Compaq Cup. Under Dhoni’s captaincy India had shown admirable consistency in the last 18 months and had scored many wins. Despite the 103-run loss against New Zealand in a practice match, Team India is looking quite confident for lifting the Champions Trophy.
As per stats, no team has won Mini World Cup twice and among the participants Pakistan and England have never won the title. India couldn’t get past the initial stages in last two editions of Champions Trophy. This time the team has quality players and the excellent forms of veterans Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid in ODI tournament in Sri Lanka have raised the hopes. Only the team needs lots of discipline and excellent display on the field to win the Champions Trophy. Let us keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best.
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