Champions Trophy 2009: a (p)review

The ICC Champions Trophy has had a chequered existence. Like some Indian cities, it has even had three names.

The ICC Champions Trophy has had a chequered existence. Like some Indian cities, it has even had three names. To start with, it kicked off as a colourless knock-out tournament called the “Wills International Cup” and then became an almost forgettable 12-nation event as the “ICC KnockOut”. It has now, thankfully, evolved into the current, rather crisp, tournament format known as the ICC Champions Trophy.

The event has had a second-rung tournament feel amongst the players and spectators, even though the level of competition is quite high.

However, it is certainly an important one for three captains: Hansie Cronje, Stephen Fleming and Brian Lara. This is the only piece of silverware which they have held in their hands. For someone like Lara, this was possibly the most important achievement, in his own words, rivalling his personal batting landmarks of 375 and 400.

And let us not forget the desperation showed by Australia in 2006 since that was the one trophy they had never won.

The first event was won by South Africa through their professional performance, especially Jacques Kallis. New Zealand won the second edition through a wonderful coming-from-behind effort orchestrated by Chris Cairns. The third instalment of the Champions Trophy was a wholly unsatisfactory event, since over 110 overs were bowled in a tied final with India and Sri Lanka sharing the trophy.

The England edition provided the home team with a perfect opportunity to win their first trophy. When West Indies were 147 for 8, chasing 218, Vaughan probably started practising the cup-aloft posture. Then the two Bajans, Browne and Bradshaw defied all odds and won for Lara and the modern West Indies team their only trophy.

The last Champions Trophy featured 12 teams where Australia lost the opening encounter against West Indies. Then, with their backs to the wall, they won all the remaining matches and had their huge day against the Windies in the final.

Now a look at the 2009 edition, which has finally found a home in South Africa.

This is not an easy tournament to crystal-gaze. Anyone who predicts a winner is only making an educated guess. The format is an unforgiving one, just about allowing one slip-up. If a team plays badly, it is almost out.

The groups are intriguing. While Group A has a very weak team, as it stands today, in West Indies, the other three, Australia, India and Pakistan, are quite formidable.

The other group has two strong contenders in South Africa and Sri Lanka and two indifferent teams in England and New Zealand.

Any predictions are dicey. However, I expect the likely semi-finalists to be South Africa, Sri Lanka, Australia and India. Afterwards, I suggest, toss a coin a few times to predict a winner. You could be more successful than many an expert.

Who could be the best performers? Seeing the past three ODI matches, you couldn’t go too wrong if you zeroed in on Jayasuriya, Tendulkar and Ponting.

At the end of the current event, we will look at the top performances in all six editions.
 
Y. Ananthanarayanan