Tickets selling fast for ICC Champions Trophy

The International Cricket Council’s 50 over Champions Trophy to be conducted at the home of cricket England in June and which is going to be the last, promises to be the best ever conducted.With the 50-over World Cup, the Twenty20 World Cup gaining prominence, the ICC has decided that this will be the last Champions Trophy to be conducted and England has been given the honour to perform the final rites.

The eight countries playing in this tournament – SRI LANKA, England, Australia, India, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand and West Indies will be determined to win this final ever trophy to be played in Cardiff, Edgbaston and the Oval.

Tickets in great demand

From reports reaching us, tickets for this tournament is in great demand. Tickets have been selling fast following the official release of further tickets in a planed second phase of sales.

According to Tournament Director Steve Elworthy, they have been staggered by the interest shown by the ticket sales. Elworthy further said that the tickets for the India-Pakistan clash sold under 30 minutes. Tickets released for other matches are also selling fast. Elworthy thanks everyone who tried their best to buy tickets and sympathises with those who were unsuccessful owing to the high demand.

The quick snapping of tickets shows the excitement and the passion cricket fans have for the Champions Trophy which will feature some of the most exciting cricketers in this style of the game.

Nail-biting final in England

Of the Champion Trophies conducted, the nail-biting final was the one when it was last conducted in England in 2004. The final was between England and the West Indies.

England seemed well on the way to celebrating their first ever victory in a big Cup final when they had the Windies groggy and on the ropes in almost darkness. But they never bargained for a fight back by the Windies. The Windies ninth wicket pair of wicket keeper Courtney Browne and Ian Brayshaw silenced the vociferously cheering English spectators with a big stand that saw Windies to a magnificent victory.

The Browne and Brayshaw show

Browne and Brayshaw got together when everything seemed lost for their side. Facing the thunderbolts of Andrew Flintoff and Steve Harmison in almost total darkness, they batted with great skill and determination to take their side to victory.

It was one of best and exciting Champions Trophy finals. I was there at the Oval covering the tournament for the Daily News and the Sunday Observer and the excitement was terrific and if my memory serves me right when the winning run was made by Brayshaw, the West Indian player and their spectators ran riot.

With this tournament being conducted for the final time, excitement is going to be at fever pitch and every participating country is going to bring out their best players in this style of play in an endeavour to carry away the trophy. It will be no different with the Sri Lankans. The selectors have picked a 30-member squad from which the final touring squad will be picked. In the 30 are all the master in this style of game and if they perform to form could bring home the ICC Champions Trophy.

Pakistan employ sports psychologist

With Pakistan cricket in turmoil with allegations of disharmony between the captain and the coach and with the likely removal of Misbah Ul Haq as captain comes the news that the Pakistan Cricket Board has sought the help of a sports psychologist to help Sahid Afridi regain his confidence. Afridi has been named in Pakistan’s shortlist of 30 probables for the Champions Trophy and indications are that if he does not perform in the President’s Cup limited overs tournament he might be omitted from the final squad to England.

Afridi will certainly be a big draw in the England tournament. With his ability to devastate any attack with his explosive hitting and with Pakistan realising his value, the PCB has obtained the services of Sports Counsellor and Psychologist Mon ul Atiq. Moin spent a lot of time with afridi giving him lectures and alsowatching him bowl in the nets. Pakistan are hoping that when final squad picking time comes along, Afridi would have benefitted from thecounseling and would be fit for the bash.

Wisden names Clarke as no 1

Australia’s promising captain and heavy scoring batsman Michael Clarke has been named as Wisden’s leading cricketer in the world. Other Australian cricketers to receive this honour are Ricky Ponting and Shane Warne.

Four double centuries last year and an average of 106 for the calendar year earned Clarke this honour.

According to the Wisden, only Sir Donald Bradman, Sir Garfield Sobers and former Australian Captain Ricky Ponting had reached New Year’s eve on such a plane.

‘I feel very honoured to be named as Wisden’s leading cricketer in the world. Given the esteemed history and tradition of the Wisden’s Cricketers’ Almanac it is a very humbling accolade and one that I hold in the highest regard’, said the high riding Australian captain.

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