So far round one of the ICC Champions Trophy has provided a lot of cricketing drama and it promises to deliver a whole lot more.
We have the top eight cricketing nations competing against each other and it can’t get any better if you are a cricket fan. Every game is a true spectacle and it is impossible to predict without any uncertainty which team is going to win the next game.
Each team has played one game and we now have a better idea of each team’s form.
It is still too early in the competition to predict a winner but, with their convincing victory against Australia, hosts England look a very dangerous side. They are my early favourites to win the trophy.
The New Zealand and Sri Lanka game was a thriller, but both teams disappointed with the bat.
England will have them both for breakfast if they don’t adapt to conditions soon. Unless the Australian players start to show some more fight, I will bet my money on either Sri Lanka or New Zealand to finish second in their pool – and it could be either team.
The Indian batsmen were brilliant in their game against South Africa. South Africa sorely missed Steyn, but at one point looked like they were going to chase down India’s mammoth total without almost breaking a sweat – then came the two quick run outs and that was the final straw for South Africa.
The West Indies and Pakistan batsmen also disappointed in their low scoring game with Gayle and Misbah being the exceptions for their respective sides. The West Indies should have won easily, but the Pakistan bowlers, Ahmed in particular, showed a lot of fight and almost managed to pull the game out of the fire for their team.
I have to go with South Africa and India to top their pool. Both teams have a lot of firepower in the batting and bowling departments. The West Indies and Pakistan will rely too much on individual performances for their success.
With both losing their first games the next game between South Africa and Pakistan is a must win situation for both sides. Ahmed will be the South African batsmen’s biggest worry. If the South African batsmen can neutralise Ahmed’s spinning genius, I’d favour the Proteas to win quite comfortably.
My only criticism of the tournament would be that the teams are not going to play more games against each other, but I guess I should be greedy.
Stanley Robson
Roar Rookie
Stanley Robson
Roar Rookie
Good point. The original purpose of the CT was to promote the game among the lesser cricketing nations like Bangladesh, Kenya and co. by hosting a shorter version of the World Cup tournament but things hasn't gone according to plan CT tournaments had 10-12 teams in the past and now it is down to eight. We are back to the old "quality over quantity" measure. Since the 1992 Worl Cup the ICC has tried hard to popularize cricket in other countries but by introducing more countries into big tournaments like the World Cup the quality of these tournaments have dropped.
AdamS
Roar Guru
What's the difference between this and the WC? Why do we even play it?
deanp
Guest
why, is the world going to end if the BC's win?
deanp
Guest
they never have, but it's a useful addition when you're trying to make a hysterical point about the decline of Oz cricket
get off the grass
Guest
Great article and well written! Agree totally, why not embrace and enjoy the concept of an international tournament. Other teams from around the world are loving it and i dare say all but two of those teams really couldn't give 2 hoots bout the ashes results. If we can do well on the international stage again, winning this kind of tournament with our best players if selected could have given us the confidence boost we seem to be lacking, especially going into the ashes!
Stanley Robson
Roar Rookie
I prefer the CT2013 format over world cups with teams that make up the numbers every time.
Stanley Robson
Roar Rookie
Having played in a three game series and having adapted are not the same thing, but I will give the Kiwi's the benefit of the doubt. Malinga has the abillity to make any batsmen look average. Malinga, Tillekeratni, Sangakarra and the Skipper (Jaya) are four reasons why every team has to watch out for Sri Lanka. The Kiwi's will always be a contender for the cup and I cant wait for the game against Oz. Think Oz will win this game though.
Stanley Robson
Roar Rookie
I agree - this competition with the top 8 is by far better than any recent World Cup. If you want to grow the game you have to put on a tournament that attract the real fans of the game. You can only do that by allowing the best teams to play. More top 8 competitions and the ODI's will soon be every cricket and half-cricket fan's favourite format again. T20 can rather be used as a format to give the second tiers some exposure on the world stage. My Xmas wish would be the above mentioned and a top 8 tournament with more games. I like CT 13 but I also like the ODI 3-7 games series'. The best ODI cup tournament would have the top 8 teams, but instead of playing each other once they could play in a best of three mini-series. That way you would have three times more top quality cricket and you will combine elements of ODI and test cricket by having teams meet each other in a multiple innings contest. I also think the Aussie team would play at least 50% better if their supporters quit their whining and started to support the team again.
Tony
Guest
Not arrogant mate, confident... and Aussie fans should be very worried.
Tenash
Guest
when the FK did Oz dominate the T20 WC ??? :D
Brian
Guest
I am assuming we hold the Chappell-Hadlee & Trans-Tasman. Also Frank Worrell & Warne-Muralitharan but really so we should.
Luke Reds
Guest
I know that this is not really important but Australia never actually won a T20 World Cup.
deanp
Guest
let's not forget the Chappell-Hadlee and Trans-Tasman trophies!
DR
Guest
Careful Tony. Don't jinx us mate :)
Bobbo7
Guest
As an NZ fan I love these formats. NZ if competitive in these competitions and in reality the top 8 teams are all pretty close and anyone could win on their day. In some ways this is a better competition than the World Cup where are there 4 or so sides making up the numbers. Some great games to date as well – as a cricket lover I love seeing ODI that actually have a point (rather than pointless 7 game series that are only there to make money). I also ask, where are all the Aussie fans? Beginning to think Aussies are massive fair weather friends. When you were on top for 15 or so years all you heard about was cricket. Now seems everyone is putting the boot in. Get behind your team. In reality a win when you’re not so strong means a lot more than smashing teams when you are the best. Following the Black Caps and the All Blacks I get the best of both worlds and I can tell you the cricket wins me a lot more to me because they are much harder fought because we are not as strong.
Brian
Guest
I suppose when this is over the last mantle of Australian domination will be over. Like the World Cup, Ashes, Border-Gavasker, Sth Africa series or T20 World Cup.
deanp
Guest
touche, you are correct of course. The ashes are over-hyped, it's the champions trophy that matters. In fact, I am fairly sure I would have watched the last champions atrophy final, whatever year it was, and so would have seen Oz win it. It must have been so memorable that I completely forgot! I can, however, off the top of me head, name the winner of every world cup, in order, Windies, Windies, Injuns, Oz, Pakis, Lankans, Oz, Oz, Oz, Injuns. Am I right?
Montero
Roar Rookie
An arrogant Kiwi cricket fan? Lol take me now! I've seen it all!
Montero
Roar Rookie
Anyone who was a half decent Australian fan who didn't only show up when the over hype Ashes was on would have known this but anyway.