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Loading ...I can’t completely grudge the event, as the ICC does need to raise it’s money from somewhere. I think the format needs a good looking at though. A simple improvement would be to schedule the event so that it doesn’t appear in World Cup years!
Not the Champion tournament it could have been
By Scott 2 years ago, at the start of October Leave a comment on this post
The first ICC Champions Trophy was a speculative venture by the ICC, and perhaps one of its most successful. It was held in 1998, and the format was a simple, eight-team knockout totalling seven fixtures in Bangladesh. The aim of the tournament was to raise funds for cricket in that country and it was very successful in doing so.
Wisden’s Matthew Engel was told it was the most successful event ever held in Bangladesh since they had become independent, such was the impact.
The ICC, in their wisdom, decided to try again, holding a similar event in Kenya in 2000. This was notable for New Zealand’s first ever success in an event like this, and the general success of the event gave rise to various notions that this could be a useful biennial tournament.
However, since then, the event has been given a formal title - the ICC Champions Trophy - and by being incorporated into the ICC’s huge television deal with Rupert Murdoch’s GCC organisation, the Champions Trophy has lost its way. The early events were quick and easy jaunts to some new places for cricketers, but the last three events have been held in established cricket centres, as part of the regular circuit. However, it has failed to capture the imagination of the world cricket community or the playing fraternity. This year’s event, for example, is widely seen in Anglo-Australian cricketing circles as an unwanted distraction to the build up to the Ashes. For both sides, the Champions Trophy will hamper their proper preparation.
Moreover, since the 2006-07 season is finishing with the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean, the rest of the cricket world is likely to view the Champions Trophy as little more then a warm-up to the main event; one where teams can be tweaked and game plans be finalised. It has blown way out of size for a tournament of this nature. The early events were very quick affairs. There are six ‘qualifying matches’ in 2006 - a far cry from the 1998 event, which had seven for the entire event. So all in all, the Champions Trophy has become a real orphan of the international cricket calendar, unloved and unwanted by the people involved in the game, foisted on them by thoughtless administrators.
For those of us that remember the two early success stories, this is a tragic waste.
Tags: 2007-world-cup, ashes, australia, bangladesh, england, icc-champions-trophy, india, the-ashes |
6 Responses to “Not the Champion tournament it could have been”
October 3rd, 2006 at 4.38 pm
October 3rd, 2006 at 5.31 pm
Hi Scott,
The CT isn’t the most interesting event on the international calendar that’s for sure, but given all the recent off the field controversy…its scheduling might be a blessing in disguise. I’m actually were much looking forward to it. Hopefully cricket will get back in the limelight for the right reasons.
October 4th, 2006 at 8.56 am
So if we were in charge of the ICC would we dump it or change the format? If so, how?
October 6th, 2006 at 1.00 am
If you were in charge, it will probably end up being a Twenty20 tourney. Because as we know, that abomination is god’s gift to cricket.
I am sorry but cricket is not about England vs Australia or the Ashes. The Ashes is not even the most intriguing match up. It was one sided for 17 years until finally England sneaked through. Contrast that with the last home and away series India has played with Australia and Pakistan.
Please get off your high horse and enjoy what should be a special curtain raiser to the world cup.
October 6th, 2006 at 4.48 am
Ollie, ICC has already announced that this is the last time the Champions Trophy will be so close to the World Cup. After several years of this crap, they’re finally taking some action — rather making the decision to take the action two years from now. Buncha idiots, but hey, this is progress.
October 6th, 2006 at 9.20 am
“A tragic waste” is a very apt way to put the situation. There is no point having two world cups, merely months away from each other.
A knock-out tournament would be the best way to go. Why kill the goose that lays the golden egg? But, as we know nothing is likely to change. It is the ICC after all.
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