Champions Trophy 2013 Preview

For the first time since 2004, the Champions Trophy is back on English soil, beginning on Thursday 6^th June, with the world’s number one ODI side India, taking on the early tournament favourites South Africa. Although it does not carry the ‘world cup’ tagline, this tournament is the most competitive ODI competition around, with the best eight teams in the world battling it out for victory. Just four matches separate each team from the final at Edgbaston on June 23^rd and thus to succeed, each team will need to perform to their maximum right from the very first ball. For all you need to know about this year’s competition, here is a team by team guide to the 2013 Champions Trophy.

 

GROUP A

 

England (Hosts)

ICC ODI Ranking: 4^th

Form: England head into the tournament off the back of a home series defeat to New Zealand. They did, however, win the previous series in New Zealand, and at home last summer they defeated the West Indies and Australia, as well as drawing with South Africa.

Fixtures: Australia 8th June; Sri Lanka 13th June; New Zealand 16th June.

Analysis: Hosts England are, according to the latest odds from the bookies, joint-favourites to win the tournament alongside South Africa. On home soil, England are a competitive one day unit and last time England hosted the Champions Trophy, back in 2004, they finished as runners-up to the West Indies. The recent rule changes, regarding the use of new balls from both ends, is ideally suited to England’s four-pronged seam attack of Anderson, Bresnan, Broad and Finn, so providing the latter two can overcome injury, England’s seam attack will be a threat to any opposition. Classy off-spinner Graeme Swann completes the bowling unit. In the batting department, England have a solid line-up, with Cook, Bell, Trott, Root, Morgan and Buttler likely to make up the top six, although there are concerns that without Kevin Pietersen, the batsman lack the ability to score runs both quickly and consistently.

Squad: Alastair Cook (c), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler (wk), Steven Finn, Eoin Morgan, Joe Root, Graeme Swann, James Tredwell, Jonathan Trott, Chris Woakes.

Prediction: Semi-finalists at best, but if Broad and Finn don’t recover from injury, then their recent performances against the Black Caps suggest they are unlikely to make it beyond the group stages.

 

Australia

ICC ODI Ranking: 2^nd

Form: The Aussie’s dispatched the West Indies 5-0 in their last ODI series down under, having drawn 2-2 with the Sri Lankans a month earlier. However, last time they were on English soil, the Australians were defeated 4-0 by the hosts.

Fixtures: England 8th June; New Zealand 12th June; Sri Lanka 17th June.

Analysis: As the second ranked ODI team in the world, the Australians will be a tough team to beat in this competition, even with their recently poor record on English soil. Having comfortably beaten the West Indies at home and also in a warm-up match at Cardiff on Saturday, the Australians have shown that despite the recent retirements of Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey, they are still a force to be reckoned with in limited overs cricket. Explosive all-rounder Shane Watson is a talismanic figure at the top of the order, and his 135 off just 98 balls on Saturday, was a perfect example of the sort of innings he is capable of constructing. The Baggy Greens also possess plenty of other power-hitters in their line-up including Tasmanian George Bailey, Delhi Daredevil’s skipper David Warner, Mumbai Indian’s $1million signing Glenn Maxwell and left-handed wicket-keeper Matthew Wade. Adam Voges is also a very astute limited overs performer with the bat, whilst captain Michael Clarke (if fit!) is a batsman with world-class pedigree. With the ball, the Aussie’s have a youthful but exciting pace attack, with the likes of Starc, Faulkner and Coulter-Nile, whilst Mitchell Johnson and Clint McKay provide invaluable experience.

Squad: Michael Clarke (capt), George Bailey (vice-capt), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Phil Hughes, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Clint McKay, Mitchell Starc, Adam Voges, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Shane Watson.

Prediction: The bookies have the Aussie’s down as third favourites and this is likely to hold true. In Shane Watson they possess a player that is capable of winning games alone, but unless Michael Clarke is fit, they may not have enough depth in their batting line-up to go all the way. Semi-finalists.

 

Sri Lanka

ICC ODI Ranking: 5^th

Form: Sri Lanka come to England after two successive ODI series draws, at home to Bangladesh and away to the Australians, having comfortably seen off New Zealand at the back end of 2012. The last time the Sri Lankans visited these shores in 2011, they lost 3-2 in the ODIs, having lead the series after three matches.

Fixtures: New Zealand 9th June; England 13th June; Australia 17th June.

Analysis: Although Sri Lanka were credited with a joint victory with India in the 2002 Champions Trophy, the Sri Lankans are better known as the nearly-men of ODI cricket. The likes of Sangakkara and Jayawardene have been on the losing side in international limited overs finals on no less than four occasions; in the 2007 ICC world cup against Australia and in 2011 against India, and then in the ICC World T20 competition, against Pakistan in 2009 and most recently in 2012, at home against the West Indies. So, will this finally be their year? The Sri Lankans without doubt possess a batting unit of immense quality and experience, for whilst Dilshan, Chandimal, Mathews and the two Perera’s providing the hitting power, Sangakarra and Jayawardene provide genuine stroke making and touch play. As for the bowlers, Lasisth Malinga and Nuwan Kulasakara are arguably two of the best limited overs bowlers around. In addition, with skipper Angelo Mathews and an abundance of spin options to choose from, the Sri Lankan’s posses a strong, well balanced ODI side.

Squad: Angelo Mathews (c), Dinesh Chandimal (vc), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Shaminda Eranga, Rangana Herath, Mahela Jayawardene, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dilhara Lokuhettige, Lasith Malinga, Jeevan Mendis, Kusal Perera, Thisara Perera, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Sachithra Senanayake, Lahiru Thirimanne.

Prediction: Would it be terrible of me to suggest they might finish as runners-up again? Although the Australians and the English are expected to top the group, this team are more than capable of upsetting the odds. At odds of 17/2, an e/w punt might be worth a gamble. Providing they can make it out of the group, anything is possible.

 

New Zealand

ICC ODI Ranking: 7^th

Form: Winners in their recent ODI series in England (2-0 with a game still to play) although they were defeated 2-1 at home earlier in the year by the same opposition. They previously beat South Africa 2-1 away from home, but were comprehensively beaten by the Sri Lankans in the sub-continent.

Fixtures: Sri Lanka 9th June; Australia 12th June; England 16th June.

Analysis: It’s hard to predict how the Black Caps will get on in this tournament. Recent form suggests they are a side capable of beating the best teams in the world over the 50-over format, and yet the bookies have them at the highest odds (11/1) to win the competition. What is certain, however, is that Brendon McCullum’s team are not short of quality. Martin Guptill appears to be in the form of his life at the top of the order, after two successive centuries against England. Guptill has amassed 292 runs from 278 balls in the last two games, including a record breaking unbeaten 189. He is ably supported by the accumulating Kane Williamson and the shot-playing Ross Taylor, whilst Franklin and skipper McCullum are both hard-hitting finishers in the middle/lower-order. Their bowling attack is sound without being spectacular, although Tim Southee is growing into his role as the leader of the attack and left-armer Mitchell McClenaghan can swing the ball back dangerously at pace. N.McCullum and Williamson are capable spin options, but the Black Caps would dearly love the experienced Dan Vettori to return to full fitness.

Squad: Brendon McCullum (captain), Ian Butler, Grant Elliott, Andrew Ellis, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Colin Munro, Luke Ronchi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Daniel Vettori and Kane Williamson.

Prediction: Group stages. Although this seems harsh, given the fact they slaughtered England in their last two matches, only two teams qualify from each group and I think the Black Caps could be one of the two who will miss out.

 

 

GROUP B

 

South Africa

ICC ODI Ranking: 3^rd

Form: South Africa edged out Pakistan 3-2 in their latest ODI series, although they lost their home series again the Black Caps in January. Last summer, they drew 2-2 in their last visit to England.

Fixtures: India 6th June; Pakistan 10th June; West Indies 14th June.

Analysis: Despite being below India and Australia in the ICC ODI rankings, this South African team is widely rated as both the best Test and also ODI team in the world. They possess plenty of ball-striking prowess, and have arguably the best fast bowling attack on the planet. Nonetheless, the absence of test captain Graeme Smith and experienced all-rounder Jacques Kallis are two enormous losses for outgoing coach Gary Kirsten. As a result the South Africans will rely heavily on Amla and de Villiers to score their runs, although Duminy, Berhardien, du Plessis and Ingram are all more than capable in limited overs cricket. In addition, David Miller showcased his power-hitting capabilities in this year’s IPL, whilst McLaren and Robin Peterson are also handy lower-order players. As for the bowlers, Dale Steyn is a fast and furious seamer who can swing the ball both ways, whilst Morkel, Tsotsobe, Kleinveldt and McLaren make up the rest of this lively seam attack.

Squad: AB de Villiers (capt, wkt), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Colin Ingram, Rory Kleinveldt, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Alviro Petersen, Robin Peterson, Aaron Phangiso, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

Prediction: Although the South African’s should still make it out of the group stages, without Smith or Kallis, I just don’t think they have the batting line-up to win it. Plus The Proteas are notorious for looking like world-beaters and then coming unstuck at the business end. Semi-finalists or runners-up.

 

India

ICC ODI Ranking: 1^st

Form: India bounced back from losing the test series to beat England 3-2 back in January, having lost their previous series against Pakistan. Won 4-1 away to Sri Lanka last summer.

Fixtures: South Africa 6th June; West Indies 11th June; Pakistan 15th June.

Analysis: There is no doubt that this is an Indian side with bags of talent. On paper, they have one of the strongest squads in the competition. In the batting department, Kohli and Raina are two of the best one day stroke makers in the world. Dhawan is an explosive top-order hitter, whilst the likes of R.Sharma, Kartik (who is in serious form!) and Jadeja are reliable run scorers in the middle-order. As for MS Dhoni, few would argue that there is a currently a better wicketkeeper batsman in ODI cricket. As for the Indian’s seam attack, the two Kumar’s, Bhuvneshwar and Vinay, should be comfortable in swing-friendly conditions, although Ishant Sharma has struggled to bowl well in previous tours to England. Umesh Yadav is bar far the quickest of the Indian bunch and his extra pace should ensure a successful tournament for him. One contentious issue is the Indian’s reliance upon their spin attack to win them ODI matches, and so it will be interesting to see how the likes of Ashwin, Mishra and Jadeja fair on wickets typical of an early English summer.

Squad: MS Dhoni (capt), Ravichandran Ashwin, Shikhar Dhawan, Ravindra Jadeja, Dinesh Karthik, Virat Kohli, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Vinay Kumar, Amit Mishra, Irfan Pathan, Suresh Raina, Ishant Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Murali Vijay, Umesh Yadav.

Prediction: On paper, their squad looks very strong. However, without the spin-friendly conditions that they excel on, and the lack of an outstanding seamer in their side, I don’t think they will win it. The semi-finals are a possibility.

 

Pakistan

ICC ODI Ranking: 6^th

Form: Beat Ireland 1-0 in a mini-series last week, but lost their last ODI series away to South Africa. Claimed a 2-1 victory in India in December-January.

Fixtures: West Indies 7th June; South Africa 10th June; India 15th June.

Analysis: Unlike their sub-continental counterparts, this Pakistan side is not one that jumps off the paper and strikes you as a team of outstanding quality. However, they do have some very strong individual performers and alongside some very promising young players, this team is very capable of causing a surprise or two. Traditionally Pakistan perform well in these limited over international competitions and they even won the ICC World Twenty20 on competition on English soil back in 2009. As for their line-up, Saeed Ajmal is without doubt one of the best ODI bowlers in the world, and even in conditions that won’t particularly favour spin, he will still be Pakistan’s most dangerous man with the ball. He will be supported by exciting young left-armer Junaid Khan, the genuinely quick but equally erratic Wahab Riaz and the tallest man in the tournament Mohammad Irfan. As for the batsman, Mohammad Hafeez is a man in fine form and is a player of upmost importance for Pakistan; he will need to contribute heavily with both bat and ball if they are to have a successful tournament. Hafeez aside, captain Misbah-ul-Haq is an experienced performer, as are Shoaib Malik, Imran Farhat and Kamran Akmal, whilst Nasir Jamshed and Umer Amin are two highly rated batsmen with plenty of potential.

Squad: Misbah-ul-Haq (c), Ehsan Adil, Saeed Ajmal, Kamran Akmal, Asad Ali, Umer Amin, Imran Farhat, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Irfan, Nasir Jamshed, Junaid Khan, Shoaib Malik, Abdul Rehman, Wahab Riaz, Asad Shafiq.

Prediction: Although Pakistan aren’t one of the more fancied teams in the competition, they are certainly capable of upsetting the odds and even going all the way to the final. They do rely heavily on a few individuals, namely Hafeez, Misbah and Ajmal, but they will definitely be competitive.

 

West Indies

ICC ODI Ranking: 8^th

Form: The Windies comfortably beat Zimbabwe 3-0 in their latest ODI series, but were thrashed by the Aussies 5-0 in February. In addition, they were edged out 3-2 by Bangladesh at the back end of 2012.

Fixtures: Pakistan 7th June; v India 11th June; South Africa 14th June.

Analysis: Last time England hosted the Champions Trophy back in 2004, the hosts lost in the final to an unfancied West Indian side, with Ramnaresh Sarwan being named man of the tournament. So, on the return of the competition to English soil, could lightening strike twice? Well, typically West Indian teams don’t tend to excel in cold conditions, however, the temperature is on the rise in the UK and subsequently, so could be the West Indies chances of making an impact upon the tournament. At the top of the order, in Chris Gayle, the Windies posses the most destructive batsman in world cricket, bar none. His astonishing 175* off 66 balls for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in this season’s IPL was a perfect demonstration of the kind of destruction Gayle can cause on a decent batting surface. Thus, it is worth a note that the West Indies play two of their group games at The Oval, which is usually a juicy, flat batting track; expect Gayle to shine. In fact, with the equally aggressive Johnson Charles alongside Gayle at the top of the order, followed by the assured and experienced Samuels and Sarwan, with powerful one-day hitters Pollard, Bravo and Sammy in behind, this whole West Indian batting line-up looks capable of producing an onslaught to make any attack in the world suffer. As for the bowlers, both pacemen Rampaul and Holder, as well as mystery-spinner Sunil Narine and all-rounder Bravo, put in some impressive displays in the IPL and in conjunction with the raw pace of Best and Roach, they combine to complete a robust bowling attack. Coach Ottis Gibson will be quietly relishing their underdogs tag.

Squad: Dwayne Bravo (capt), Denesh Ramdin (wkt), Tino Best, Darren Bravo, Johnson Charles, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Darren Sammy, Marlon Samuels, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Devon Smith.

Prediction: The likes of Gayle, Bravo, Pollard and Narine all shone in the IPL, and if they can perform consistently, the West Indies could be dark horses in the competition. Then again, if the weather is rubbish, they’ve got no chance.