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Champions Trophy preview: Eight countries, but who can win it?
By LAWRENCE BOOTH
PUBLISHED: 16:00 EST, 5 June 2013 | UPDATED: 16:34 EST, 5 June 2013
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The seventh and last Champions Trophy brings together the world’s eight best teams in a short, sharp tournament spread over 18 days and three cities: London, Birmingham and Cardiff.
Two groups of four will produce four semi-finalists, followed by the final at Edgbaston on June 23.
England have to emerge from a group containing Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. In Group B, India v Pakistan at Edgbaston on June 15 looks like the most mouth-watering prospect.
Lawrence Booth assesses the chances of all eight teams.
Last time out: Australia triumphed in South Africa in 2009
GROUP A
England
Form: Until the matches against New Zealand, England had not lost a bilateral one-day series in this country since 2009.
Strengths: A seam attack to live with any, and a top order capable of coping with two new balls.
Weaknesses: A lack of depth among the second-string seamers, and with no Kevin Pietersen the batting lacks the X factor.
Verdict: In a week, England have gone from tournament favourites to being one of several teams who could lift the trophy. A lot may depend on Eoin Morgan’s form.
Master blaster: Morgan
New Zealand
Form: Two superb away wins this year — in South Africa and England — so no longer outsiders.
Strengths: Martin Guptill’s centuries at Lord’s and the Ageas Bowl prove he is the in-form batsman. Brendon McCullum can devastate any attack.
Weaknesses: Not always at their best when expectations rise.
Verdict: New Zealand invariably reach the semi-finals. Do they have the consistency to go further?
Skipper: McCullum
Australia
Form: No official one-day internationals since February, when they whitewashed West Indies 5-0 at home. But India skittled them for 65 on Tuesday.
Strengths: Shane Watson can be destructive at the top of the order. Useful seam attack.
Weaknesses: Spinners lack penetration: slow left-armer Xavier Doherty averages a wicket a game.
Verdict: Hard to see them completing a hat-trick of Champions Trophy triumphs.
Star man: Watson
Sri Lanka
Form:Mixed. They drew in Australia in January — but then drew in Bangladesh.
Strengths: Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene remain among the world’s most skilled elder statesmen of batting, and Lasith Malinga’s yorkers at the death are the envy of any captain.
Weaknesses: Back-up seamers lack punch, and the left-arm spin of Rangana Herath may not be effective here.
Verdict: It’s hard to see Sri Lanka making the last four.
Slinger: Malinga
GROUP B
India
Form: A successful chase of 334 in a warm-up against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston bodes well.
Strengths: Elements of the batting look frightening — not least Virat Kohli, who has made 13 hundreds in 95 ODIs. Never out of any run-chase until captain MS Dhoni is dismissed.
Weaknesses: Seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar looks a skilful addition but it’s high time Ishant Sharma pulled his weight.
Verdict: No total looks beyond their batsmen, but will they be exhausted after a gruelling IPL?
Pin-up: Kohli
South Africa
Form: Since drawing 2-2 in England last September they have played only nine one-day internationals.
Strengths: Dale Steyn (if fit) and Morne Morkel form part of the tournament’s most dangerous seam attack.
Weaknesses: Without batting pillars Graeme Smith (injured) and Jacques Kallis (personal reasons).
Verdict: Heavy defeat in a warm-up by Pakistan raised questions but seamers will always give them a chance.
Injury doubt: Steyn
Pakistan
Form: Did well to take South Africa to a decider in a five-game rubber in March.
Strengths: No team have a stronger slow-bowling attack in Saeed Ajmal, the world’s best off-spinner, Mohammad Hafeez and Abdur Rehman.
Weaknesses: Their batting remains hit and miss.
Verdict: Some tip them to win the tournament. Others reckon they won’t get out of their group. As usual, it may depend on how Pakistan are feeling on the day.
World class: Ajmal
West Indies
Form:Recent wins over Zimbabwe did not make up for a 5-0 hammering in Australia and an embarrassing 3-2 defeat in Bangladesh.
Strengths: Match-winners from Chris Gayle at the top of the order to Marlon Samuels in the middle.
Weaknesses: A mediocre tour of England last summer suggested they are not entirely comfortable in these conditions.
Verdict: Another team who will regard any target as achievable, but second only to Pakistan in terms of inconsistency.
Destructive: Gayle
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PUBLISHED: 16:00 EST, 5 June 2013 | UPDATED: 16:34 EST, 5 June 2013
2 shares
1
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comments
The seventh and last Champions Trophy brings together the world’s eight best teams in a short, sharp tournament spread over 18 days and three cities: London, Birmingham and Cardiff.
Two groups of four will produce four semi-finalists, followed by the final at Edgbaston on June 23.
England have to emerge from a group containing Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. In Group B, India v Pakistan at Edgbaston on June 15 looks like the most mouth-watering prospect.
Lawrence Booth assesses the chances of all eight teams.
Last time out: Australia triumphed in South Africa in 2009GROUP A
England
Form: Until the matches against New Zealand, England had not lost a bilateral one-day series in this country since 2009.
Strengths: A seam attack to live with any, and a top order capable of coping with two new balls.
Weaknesses: A lack of depth among the second-string seamers, and with no Kevin Pietersen the batting lacks the X factor.
Verdict: In a week, England have gone from tournament favourites to being one of several teams who could lift the trophy. A lot may depend on Eoin Morgan’s form.
Master blaster: MorganNew Zealand
Form: Two superb away wins this year — in South Africa and England — so no longer outsiders.
Strengths: Martin Guptill’s centuries at Lord’s and the Ageas Bowl prove he is the in-form batsman. Brendon McCullum can devastate any attack.
Weaknesses: Not always at their best when expectations rise.
Verdict: New Zealand invariably reach the semi-finals. Do they have the consistency to go further?
Skipper: McCullumAustralia
Form: No official one-day internationals since February, when they whitewashed West Indies 5-0 at home. But India skittled them for 65 on Tuesday.
Strengths: Shane Watson can be destructive at the top of the order. Useful seam attack.
Weaknesses: Spinners lack penetration: slow left-armer Xavier Doherty averages a wicket a game.
Verdict: Hard to see them completing a hat-trick of Champions Trophy triumphs.
Star man: WatsonSri Lanka
Form:Mixed. They drew in Australia in January — but then drew in Bangladesh.
Strengths: Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene remain among the world’s most skilled elder statesmen of batting, and Lasith Malinga’s yorkers at the death are the envy of any captain.
Weaknesses: Back-up seamers lack punch, and the left-arm spin of Rangana Herath may not be effective here.
Verdict: It’s hard to see Sri Lanka making the last four.
Slinger: MalingaGROUP B
India
Form: A successful chase of 334 in a warm-up against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston bodes well.
Strengths: Elements of the batting look frightening — not least Virat Kohli, who has made 13 hundreds in 95 ODIs. Never out of any run-chase until captain MS Dhoni is dismissed.
Weaknesses: Seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar looks a skilful addition but it’s high time Ishant Sharma pulled his weight.
Verdict: No total looks beyond their batsmen, but will they be exhausted after a gruelling IPL?
Pin-up: KohliSouth Africa
Form: Since drawing 2-2 in England last September they have played only nine one-day internationals.
Strengths: Dale Steyn (if fit) and Morne Morkel form part of the tournament’s most dangerous seam attack.
Weaknesses: Without batting pillars Graeme Smith (injured) and Jacques Kallis (personal reasons).
Verdict: Heavy defeat in a warm-up by Pakistan raised questions but seamers will always give them a chance.
Injury doubt: SteynPakistan
Form: Did well to take South Africa to a decider in a five-game rubber in March.
Strengths: No team have a stronger slow-bowling attack in Saeed Ajmal, the world’s best off-spinner, Mohammad Hafeez and Abdur Rehman.
Weaknesses: Their batting remains hit and miss.
Verdict: Some tip them to win the tournament. Others reckon they won’t get out of their group. As usual, it may depend on how Pakistan are feeling on the day.
World class: AjmalWest Indies
Form:Recent wins over Zimbabwe did not make up for a 5-0 hammering in Australia and an embarrassing 3-2 defeat in Bangladesh.
Strengths: Match-winners from Chris Gayle at the top of the order to Marlon Samuels in the middle.
Weaknesses: A mediocre tour of England last summer suggested they are not entirely comfortable in these conditions.
Verdict: Another team who will regard any target as achievable, but second only to Pakistan in terms of inconsistency.
Destructive: GayleRead more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/cri...#ixzz2VURXzLLj
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