Blogs Champions Trophy 2009 - Predictions
September 22nd, 2009 by jatanrThe Champions Trophy starts today. It could not have come at a more opportune time for the ODIs. But that discussion is for another day. The Champions Trophy is at our doorstep, and we will follow it, no matter if it is a T20 format or an ODI format. 
The format of the tournament is simple. The top 8 teams are divided into two groups of 4 each. Each team plays the other team in its group and the top two teams from each group compete the semi finals. With the West Indies still not at their best (no Chanderpaul, Sarwan, Taylor or Edwards), we can say that the other teams from group A (India, Pakistan and Australia) can feel that they have a minnow in their group. But usually it is the minnows that spoil the party of at least one team in a major event. So the remaining three teams in group A should be careful not to take the West Indies easy. Assuming that they win their respective matches against West Indies, the competition in group A reduces to two teams out of three. And given the strengths of each of them, one will not be surprised if the top two teams are decided on the net run rate.
Group B seems to be the more balanced one. SL, SA, Eng and NZ are all capable of making it to the semis, but one feels that SA and SL have the edge. New Zealand’s recent ODI form has not been very good, though you can give them the benefit of the doubt since they were at the end of a long tour of Sri Lanka and the sub-continent conditions (both the weather and the surface) are not to their liking. They will surely welcome the change of conditions in South Africa and will fancy their chances. On the other hand, England seem to be in total disarray after their 6-1 loss to Australia on their home soil. No matter which team you play, if you are playing at home, a score of 6-1 is totally unacceptable. England are sorely missing Pietersen and Flintoff and without both of them, I don’t expect them to provide any serious challenge to either SA or SL.
My prediction for the semi finals:
Group A - India and Australia
Group B - Sri Lanka and South Africa
Pakistan and New Zealand have enough ability to spoil this prediction. But if Pakistan makes it to the semis, don’t be surprised if they go all the way!
September 22nd, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Today by beating South Africa, SL started with what can at least be called a mini-upset….I think that will make it even harder for NZ and Eng now.
September 25th, 2009 at 2:53 am
Even though it can be called a minor upset, I think SL are currently playing really well and on form alone, it was almost expected. SL has played well in the recent weeks while SA hardly had any match practice. On top of that, i doubt if most of the SA batsmen had ever played against Mendis yet. Mendis’ bowling does have that initial surprise factor, which accounted for Smith’s first ball wicket.
I still want to see whether Mendis will be as successful, say, 5 years down the line.