Sep

21

Here Comes the Champions Trophy

By Neetu Sharma - Monday, September 21st, 2009   |   272 views   |  

As promised, I am back right when the Champions Trophy is around the corner.

Just in time!

I don’t how I’m going to do this because today is the first day of my MBA classes; till now I was just busy partying during the pre-MBA orientation, while now its actual work and the Champions Trophy.

I’ve hardly followed any cricket in the last month.

The Australia – England ODIs went by and besides the news of Ponting hitting a fine century and Cameron White being in awesome form, I have no idea how the series went.

I was even more clueless about the triangular between New Zealand, India, and Sri Lanka. That series came and went.

But the Champions Trophy, I don’t want to miss.

The revamped version with the top 8 sides actually gives it a very attractive look.

I believe it will be quite competitive too; and here’s why.

Group A: Australia, India, Pakistan, West Indies

Australia and India seem like the two teams that will go through to the semi finals from this Group; however the unpredictable and explosive nature of Pakistan and West Indies, you really cannot rule them out.

Pakistan have been in cracking form in the warm ups with most of their top order getting the runs against Sri Lanka and the Warriors; the bowlers have been among the wickets too.

The best thing for them is the return to form for Misbah and Shoaib Malik; a lot however, will count on these two to keep that good form going.

West Indies have posted 300 plus totals in two of their warm ups, but their bowling has not left much to be desired.

South Africa plundered them all over the park, while a state side overhauled a 300 plus score against them.

On their day though, one never knows.

Especially when India seems to be off color.

I believe Pakistan or the West Indies could possibly take advantage of India’s current form, or rather lack off, to advance from this Group.

I don’t see Australia slacking; not after the way they have thrashed England in the ODIs.

I would rate them the favorites too.

Group B: South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, England

South Africa, as always, stand no chance.

They may get to the semi finals at the most; actually I would even be surprised by that.

England‘s morale will be so low after their bashing at the hands of Australia; even they will find it difficult to advance from this Group.

New Zealand, always the dark horses in such competitions, actually look good. I’m only judging from their warm up against India but I think they stand a very good chance in this tournament.

Sri Lanka have had a phenomenol run so far under King Sanga, and will definitely be advancing from this group.

How far they go though will depend on how cool King Sanga remains in the crunch games.

So, the 4 Semi Finalists in my view will be:

Australia
Pakistan
New Zealand
Sri Lanka

I’m looking forward to this Champions Trophy, particuarly the India vs Pakistan game.

That will be a cracker for sure, and I’ll probably be watching it with a lot of Indians here in Manchester.

How that will turn out, you can only imagine.

As for the Champions Trophy, I believe this will probably be the first successful one!

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