With the dispute between Cricket Australia and Australian Cricket Association still unresolved, it is difficult to predict as to how Australia will fare in the Champions Trophy commencing on 1 June.
I suggest that both CA and ACA should get down from their high horses and discuss in a mature amicable way as soon as possble.
Australia is the only country to win the Champions Trophy twice; in 2006-07 beating the 2004 reigning champs West Indies in Mumbai and in 2009-10 beating New Zealand in Centurion.
The current winners are India, who defeated England in Birmingham by five runs in 2013, when rain reduced the final to 20 overs per team.
The first country to win the Trophy was South Africa in 1998-99 in Bangladesh, when it was called the Wills International Cup. They beat West Indies by four wickets in the final. Then New Zealand won it in 2001-02 in Kenya, beating India by four wickets.
Due to persistent rains during the final in 2002-03 Sri Lanka and India shared the trophy in Sri Lanka. West Indies won it in England in 2004 defeating the home team by two wickets. Then Australia lifted the Trophy twice in a row, in India in 2006-07 and in South Africa in 2009-10, followed by India winning in England in 2013.
One question: why have Australia and New Zealand not hosted the Champions Trophy even once when England will be staging it for the third time next month?
The Australian squad is a good mixture of talent and experience, aggressive batsmen, quickies and spinners. However, the omission of Usman Khawaja is hard to explain.
Australia will play two warm-up games – one against Sri Lanka at the Oval next Friday, 26 May, and one against Pakistan in Birmingham on 29 May. The Aussies start their Champions Trophy campaign in group A, where their opponents are New Zealand at Birmingham on 2 June, Bangladesh at the Oval on 5 June and England at Birmingham on 10 June.
South Africa, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are in Group B, and the semi-finals are on 14 and 15 June, with the final at the Oval on 18 June.
Let us revisit the two finals Australia won, both under Ricky Ponting’s captaincy. The first was in 2006-07. They met reigning champs West Indies at the Brabourne Stadium in Bombay on 5 November 2006.
The Windies started well, and openers Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Chris Gayle put on 49 runs. Then Nathan Bracken (3-22), Glenn McGrath and Shane Watson (two wickets each) struck and the Windies were rolled out for 138 in 30.4 overs.
With Watson (57 not out) and Damien Martyn (47 not out) adding 103 runs for the unbroken third wicket, Australia rattled up 2-116 in 28.1 overs and won by eight wickets. The result was by DL method as rain had interrupted play when Australia was 2-52 after ten overs and the win target had become 116 in 35 overs. Watson was the obvious man of the final and Gayle the man of the series.
The second win was in 2009-10. In the next final at Centurion on 5 October 2009 New Zealand scored 9-200 (Martin Guptil 40, Nathan Hauritz 3-37, Brett Lee 2-45). Once again Watson was at his scintillating best, thumping an unbeaten 105 off 129 balls with ten fours and four sixes. With Cameron White (62) he added 128 for the third wicket.
Australia totalled 4-206 (Kyle Mills 3-27) in 45.2 overs to win by six wickets with 28 balls in hand. Watson was once again Man of the Final and Ricky Ponting the Man of the Series who also received a golden bat.
Chris Gayle is the most prolific batsman in Champions Trophy with 791 runs at 52.73 (highest score 133 not out) in 17 matches. New Zealand’s fast-medium bowler Kyle Mills has taken most wickets, 28 at 17.25 in 15 matches.
Ponting provides a paradox in the Champions Trophy. Although he has scored most runs for an Australian (593 runs at 39.53, highest score 111 not out in 18 matches) and was awarded a golden bat in 2009, in the two finals he led Australia to victory he made only zero and one.
So let’s get ready for cold, late nights next month watching the progress of Steven Smith’s men in England.
The Australian squad
Steven Smith (captain), David Warner (vice-captain), Matthew Wade (w.k.), Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa.
Stuart Neil Bywater
Guest
Hi Burgy, I assumed from the composition of the squad that Oz team management was relying on express pace for the matches possibly playing MS, JH, PC and JP together In the 1991-1992 World Cup , Pakistan surprised the other cricketing nations by have the openers blast in order to benefit from the fielding restrictions before batting more sedatley for the middle 20 or son overs If a team was to maintain its early overs' scoring rate in the middle overs , my concern is whether the Duke could contain aggressive, settled batsmen. I agree that there is much to like about thw Due's batting, but is it truly required? Many would argue that Starc and Cummins be considered as bowling all-rounders. Of course we could conclude the debate by adopting Bill O'Reilly"s argument, that the best selection strategy for ODI, is to choose your 11 quickest scoring batsmen
James
Guest
That conspiracy theory would line up more if the games didnt go all day.
kersi meher-homji
Guest
Good to hear from you, Sheek. I enjoy your tongue-in-cheek humour.
sheek
Roar Guru
Hi Kersi, I guess the ICC Champion's Trophy exists so the ICC can remind everyone they're in charge of cricket!
Vikram Sudan
Guest
Australia can win the champions trophy
Greg
Roar Rookie
There's been little to no build up in Australia. The players have either been playing IPL, focusing on the money dispute, or playing whatever cricket is available to them. Either the players won't click, or playing cricket will be the best thing for them. I think England and South Africa have the edge, as they are playing a 3-match ODI series before the tournament begins.
Ross
Guest
Khawaja should be playing all 3 formats for the international side
Stephen
Guest
Khawaja's classy tweet yesterday was fantastic, i am also a fan of water boy and for him to use that to air his frustration at not playing for 5 months was all class. He should be in the champions squad at the very minimum and we will miss his class at the top
BurgyGreen
Guest
I disagree with you on Hastings. To my mind, he offers some desperately-needed variety with the ability to bowl tight lines at a sharp pace and hit his yorkers at the death. We already have Starc, Cummins, Pattinson and to an extent Hazlewood as specialist strike bowlers. In my opinion we actually should've left out Pattinson for another good death bowler, preferably Faulkner.
Adrian
Guest
Australia were maybe an outside chance but now with the pay dispute and some inconsistent and bad selections (no James Faulkner, for example) it seems hard to imagine it happening, not this time around at least.
kersi meher-homji
Guest
The Bush, I also ask myself, when there is a well established 50-over World Cup, what is the need of ICC Champions Trophy?
kersi meher-homji
Guest
Thank you Keshava and others for your comments.
kersi meher-homji
Guest
A comment full of analysis and insight, Stuart. But it took me a few seconds to work out that UK is not always United Kingdom! Somehow I feel sad for Usman and for Steve O'Keefe.
Stuart Neil Bywater
Guest
Jason Behrendorff, Kane Richardson or Chris Tremain perhaps add more penetrating bowling cover than the Duke.
Stuart Neil Bywater
Guest
Hi Kersi, I agree that its disappointing that UK has missed out once again. It speaks volumes of him that he does not publicly air his disappointment. I am not sure, however, who he should replace. I am confused by the selectors' persistence with Matt Wade. I believe that Matt is a fine man and popular with his team mates. His keeping has improved. However, Nevill remains a better keeper and is an equally proficient bat. John Hastings selection is a surprising selection. One of a gifted quartet of contemporary Hawkesbury cricketers with Steve O'Keefe, Peter Forrest and Dave Dennis. Unfortunately despite being a canny bowler, the Duke generally lacks the penetration required to seriously trouble a strong line-up. Should Starc, Hazelwood, Cummins or Patterson be injured or rested surely an attacking bowler such as Nathan Couter-Nile or Chad Sayers provides better cover. Adam Zampa is a curious selection. The afore mentioned Steve O'Keefe is a better containing bowler and a better credentialled bat. Of course he would need to commit to a dry tour. I look forward to hearing other Roarers' views
C Keshava Murthy
Guest
Although Australia have got a balanced side, it is very doubtful whether they would be able to annex the title for the third time - many of its players are bound to face the 'law of averages' and may not shine after the success in the IPL - going by the form India are favourites to retain the title and England are the next team who can win the title - but who ever wins let us hope that the matches provide thrill and exciting moments and not end in onesided games - C Keshava Murthy
BurgyGreen
Guest
There are plenty of fantastic batting sides, but few teams have excellent attacks. South Africa and Australia are the two standout bowling sides so I expect them to be the teams to beat. I'm tipping South Africa just ahead of Australia because of their scarier batting lineup. De Kock, Amla, Du Plessis, De Villiers is a frightening top 4.
BrainsTrust
Guest
You noted Australia and New Zealand have not hosted it, same with West Indies. I would think if you look at the time zomes that have hosted it, and then line that up with Indian TV. A lot of daytime matches in England which would be at a good time slot in India.
Bloody R Bull
Guest
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Bloody R Bull
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