ICC Champions Trophy 2009

ICC CHAMPIONS TROPHY 2009

Hi guys, its time to discuss about champions trophy. In this post, am gonna give my views about each team and interesting facts about the players and i have planned to write review of each match. Join with me and comment on my views, let us share our thoughts about this tournament

Why Champions Trophy Steal more ATTENTION?
In this tournament, top eight teams are participating, so obviously there is no doubt for thrill, entertainment and good CRICKET. Lets have a quick look on teams, that are ready to grasp this beautiful Trophy.

Australia is the defending champion. Pakistan and England never won Champions Trophy.

CT 2009 NEWS:
* Yuvraj ruled out of champions trophy, fractures his finger during practice session. Virat Kohli will replace him.
* Australian Pacer Nathan Bracken ruled out of mini WC due to knee injury.
* Younis Khan fit to play in second match of their tie against India on Sept 26th.
* Jessie Ryder Ruled out of Champions Trophy after he pulled his left abductor muscle. He also fined 15% of his match fee for abuse of cricket equipment, he broke chair in dressing room by his bat following his dismissal.
* Sri Lankan team fined 5% of match fee for slow over rate against New Zealand which they lost by 38 runs, Sangakkara fined 10% of match fee. England team and the captain too fined for slow over rate.
* ENGLAND became the first country to move to semi-final. The host South-Africa out of competition.
* D Tuffey out of CT due to broken hand. The key players injuries hurt New Zeland team who tries to get a place in semi final berth
* As IND-AUS match washed out due to rain, PAKISTAN now get a place in semi final berth from Group A.

STANDINGS (Preliminary Rounds):

Team	P	W	L	NR	PTS	NRR
Group A
Australia	3	2		1	5	+0.510
Pakistan	3	2	1		4	-1.080
India	3	1	1	1	3	+0.999
West Indies	2		2			-1.501
Group B
New Zealand	3	2	1		4	+0.782
England	3	2	1		4	-0.487
Sri Lanka	3	1	2		2	-0.085
South Africa	3	1	2		2	-0.177

SCHEDULES:

#	Date	Match	Venue	Time
Group Matches:
1	Tue 22 Sept	SA v SL- SL won by 55 runs	Centurion	18:00 IST (D/N)
2	Wed 23 Sept	PAK vs WI- Pak won by 5 wickets	The Wanderers	18:00 IST (D/N)
3	Thu 24 Sept	SA vs NZ SA won by 5 wickets	Centurion	13:00 IST (D)
4	Fri 25 Sept	SL vs ENG Eng won by 6 wicket	The Wanderers	18:00 IST (D/N)
5	Sat 26 Sept	WI vs AUS Aus won by 50 runs	The Wanderers	13.00 IST (D)
6	Sat 26 Sept	IND vs PAK Pak won by 54 runs	Centurion	18:00 IST (D/N)
7	Sun 27 Sept	NZ vs SL Nz won by38 runs	The Wanderers	13:00 IST (D)
8	Sun 27 Sept	SA vs ENG Eng won by 22 runs	Centurion	18:00 IST (D/N)
9	Mon 28 Sept	AUS vs IND Match Abandoned due to rain	Centurion	18:00 IST (D/N)
10	Tue 29 Sept	ENG vs NZ NZ won by 4 wickets	The Wanderers	18:00 IST (D/N)
11	Wed 30 Sept	AUS vs PAK Aus won by 2 wickets	Centurion	13:00 IST (D)
12	Wed 30 Sept	IND vs WI Ind won by 7 wickets	The Wanderers	18:00 IST (D/N)
Semi-Finals:
13	Fri 2 Oct	AUS vs ENG Aus won by 9 wickets	Centurion	18:00 IST (D/N)
14	Sat 3 Oct	PAK vs NZ NZ won by 5 wickets	The Wanderers	18:00 IST (D/N)
Finals:
15	Mon 5 Oct	AUS vs NZ Aus won by 6 wickets	Centurion	18:00 IST (D/N)

RESULTS

Match 1: Group B:South Africa v Sri Lanka at Centurion - Sep 22, 2009

Sri Lanka won by 55 runs (D/L method)

Sri Lanka 319/8 (50 overs)- T Dilshan 106, M Jayawardene 77, K Sangakkara 54; D Steyn 3/47, W Parnell 3/79.
South Africa 206/7 (37.4/37.4 overs)- G Smith 58, J Kallis 41; A Mendis 3/30.

Summary:

The host won the toss and decided to field first. SL captain was happy with the decision since they can pile up runs at these kind of pitch and can control SA chase. SA playing after a long interval since T-20 World Cup. South Africa opted to go wit 2 spinners. Steyn gave early breakthrough by picking Jayasuirya wicket. Then Dilshan and Sangakkara played steadily and had a 2nd wicket partnership of 158 runs. Sangakkara after reaching his fifty fell to Duminey.Dishan continued his excellent form and scored 106 from 92 balls. Steyn managed to take his wicket. Jayawardene and Samareweera then added 116 runs. Finally Sri Lanka set a target of 320 to the host South Africa.
Sa started their chase badly. They lost Amla in 2nd over but Smith and Kallis build up a 2nd wicket partnership of 81 runs. When Smith was in good touch, Mendis was called to bowl. Mendis striked in his first delivery, picked the wicket of Smith. Smith was puzzled by his carrom ball delivery. Mendis, then picked 2 consecutive wickets of Kallis(41) and Duminny(0). SA was in trouble as Boucher and AB Devilliers got out soon. When SA were at 206 for 7 in 37th over, Rain stopped the game and Sri Lanka won by D/L method.
By this defeat, SA lost their first position and India regained No 1 spot.

Man of the Match: T Dilshan(SL)

Match 2: Group A: Pakistan v West Indies at Johannesburg - Sep 23, 2009

Pakistan won by 5 wickets (with 117 balls remaining)

West Indies 133 (34.3 ov) N Miller 51; M Aamer 3/24, U Gul 3/28.
Pakistan 134/5 (30.3 ov) U Akmal 41*; G Tonge 4/25.

Summary:

West Indies won toss and elected to bat first. Right from the start, Windies batsmen struggled to Pakistan pace bowlers. They lost wickets at quick intervals. In low order, Miller played better and added 51 runs to Windies total of 133 runs. Miller along wit Sammy had a partnership of 38runs for 8th wicket and it is record partnership for west indies in ICC Champions Trophy. Pakistan had to chase a low score but they stumbled to Tonge bowling. He picked 4 wickets and gave trouble to Pakistan batsmen. At one stage Pakistan were 76 for 5, later Umar Akmal played a steady knock along wit stand-in captain Afridi and scored 41*, thus sealed victory for his team in low scoring game.

Man Of the Match: U Akmal(PAK)

Match 3: Group B:South Africa v New Zealand at Centurion - Sept 24, 2009

South Africa won by 5 wickets (with 53 balls remaining)

New Zealand 214(47.5 overs) - R Taylor 72, B McCullum 44; W Parnell 5/57.
South Africa 217/5 (41.1 overs) - AB DeVillers 70*; D Tuffey 2/52.

Summary:

South Africa won toss and chose to bat. It is a must win game for south africa to stay in competition. Good play by Taylor and McCullum fetched New Zealand score of 214. Taylor made a slow and steady knock of 72. Parnell picked wickets at regular intervals and stopped the partnership at important time. Steyn bowled well and maintained good economy, he got 2 wickets. Merwe fielded so good, he took a spectacular catch to send Ryder back to pavilion and he also got 2 wickets. Elliot too played well and managed to make 39.
South Africa lost their captain cheaply. Kallis put SA ahead with his sensible playing, followed by DeVilliers superb innings who made it comfortable win for SA. He never hurried, played singles and two's and guided his team to vicotry. South Africa chase to victory was guided by AB Devillers with bat and Merwe, Parnell bowling.

Man Of The Match: W Parnell(SA)

Match 4:Group B:England v Sri Lanka at Johannesburg - Sept 25, 2009

England won by 6 wickets (with 30 balls remaining

Sri Lanka 212 (47.3 ov) - S Kandamby 53, A Mathews 52; J Anderson 3/20, S Broad 3/49.
England 213/4 (45 ov)- E Morgan 62*, P Collingwood 46; K Kulasekara 2/42.
Summary:
Hi guys... England won the toss and surprisingly elected to field first though its a batting pitch. Many more surprises were waiting for cricket fans. Everyone thought England could not withstand with the mighty sri lanka. But England bowlers played sensible and took some early wickets which made England to control sri lanka. Samaraveera and mathews did a great job to make srilanka to reach two hundred total. Even-though england bowlers manage to take some quick wickets they fail to continue it and fail to control bowling too many wides.
England starts the innings with great hope, that they can chase it. but openors couldnt make a good start for England. Oops! England fans would be in disappointment since their players cannot withstand in fast bowlers, then how come they gonna face spinners. But collingwood played a fantastic innings and he overcome the pressure on england and knocked the ball all over the ground, which made sri lanka under pressure. Shah helped him without losing his wicket but his strike rate was not good. After collingwood dismissal, morgan and shah played a sensible innings and confirmed their team victory. Few more suprises, england didnt lose their wicket to mendis, won the match.

MAN OF THE MATCH :P Collingwood(ENG)

Match 5:Group A: Australia v West Indies at Johannesburg - Sep 26, 2009

Australia won by 50 runs

Australia 275/8 (50 overs)- R Ponting 79, M Johnson 73*;N Miller 2/24, D Bernard 2/63.
West Indies 225 (46.5 overs)- T Dowlin 55, A Fletcher 54; N Hauritz 2/24, Watson 2/34.
Summary:
West Indies elected to field against mighty Aussies. West Indies gave lot of trouble to Australia though it seems a easy 50 runs victory. Aussies would have thought they could win comfortably but West Indies ruined all those thoughts by their performance. Watson was duck out in the first ball of the innings. Paine and Ponting had a 85 run second wicket stand. Ponting was stumped out for 79, Miller bowled brilliantly and he bagged 2 wickets in his 10 overs without conceding a boundary. Australia were 150 for 4 at 31 overs. The others batsmen too got out quickly. The 70 run stand between Johnson and Lee and Johnson quick fire 73* made aussies to set a target of 278 to west indies.
West Indies chase was guided by Fletcher and Dowlin. They played fantastically and australian bowlers struggled to find their rhythm. A poor running by Fletcher, fetched his wicket and West indies looked to fall down after Dowlin wicket. Other players like Sammy and Reifer tried their best, but they cant sustain for long and west indies were all out for 225. Finally Australia survived a scare.

MAN OF THE MATCH: M JOHNSON(AUS)

Match 6:Group A: India v Pakistan at Centurion - Sep 26, 2009

Pakistan won by 54 runs

Pakistan 302/9 (50 overs)- S Malik 128, M Yousuf 87; A Nehra 4/55.
India 248 (44.5 overs)- R Dravid 76, G Gambir 57; S Afridi 2/39, S Ajmal 2/31.

Summary:
This was the most expected match in Champions Trophy. The rival between India and Pakistan in cricket is always interesting one. Pakistan had beaten India only once in ICC major Event matches.
Pakistan had won the toss and never hesitated to chose batting. The Indian bowling and fielding had failed and was too poor. Malik and Yousuf played firmly and scored 128 and 87 respectively. Nehra alone looked better in Indian bowling department. Harbhajan's worst ever bowling was in this match , he gave 79 runs in his ten over. Indian Fielding was also worst and Dhoni cant make a right fielding placement. Pakistan batsmen played very well to set a target of 303.
India's chase started with a shock of Sachin early exit. Gambir played a very valuable knock and maintained the run rate not to go up. In meantime, Pakistan seamers didnt bowled their best and gave many no balls and free hit to india. The turning point in Indian chase was Gambir run out, a little eagerness from Gambir to face the strike and little hesitation and laziness cost his wicket. Replays showed a dive might have saved his wicket. Dravid played a steady sensible knock and rotated the strike. Later, after fall of Kohli and Dhoni, Raina fired up and he scored a quick 46. His wicket is another Turning point of Indian chase as his wicket raised some doubts over the umpire decision of LBW. Still they believed India can chase it as India required 98 from 15 overs. But Yusuf Pathan failed and its all in hands of Dravid after that. He kept the chase alive through out. The last and final turning point of the Indian chase was Dravid run out. Harbhajan at first called for third run, but Dravid was not so eager, then dravid thought can get third and called harbhajan but bhaji stopped him and sent back and good throw by Gul to keeper cost his wicket. After his wicket, Indians lost quickly. Afridi and Ajmal bowled well and conceded less runs.

MAN OF THE MATCH: S MALIK(PAK)

Match 7:Group B: New Zealand v Sri Lanka at Johannesburg - Sep 27, 2009

New Zealand won by 38 runs

New Zealand 315/7 (50 overs)- J Ryder 74, M Guptill 66; S Jayasuriya 3/39.
Sri Lanka 277 (46.4 overs)- N Kulasekara 57*, T Dilshan 41; K Mills 3/69.
MAN OF THE MATCH: D VETTORI(NZ)
Summary:

Match 8:Group B: South Africa v England at Centurion - Sep 27, 2009

England won by 22 runs

England 323/8 (50 overs) - O Shah 98, P Collingwood 83, E Morgan67' W Parnell 3/60.
South Africa 301/9 (50 overs)- G Smith 141; J Anderson 3/42, S Broad 3/67.
MAN OF THE MATCH: O SHAH(ENG)

Match 9:Group A:Australia v India at Centurion - Sep 28, 2009

NO RESULT- Match Abandoned due to rain.

Australia 234/4 (42.3 overs)- M Hussey 67, R Ponting 65, T Paine 55; A Nehra 1/48.

Match 10:Group B:England v New Zealand at Johannesburg - Sep 29, 2009

New Zealand won by 4 wickets (with 137 balls remaining)

England 146 (43.1 overs)- P Collingwood 40, R Bopara 30; G Elliot 4/31, S Bond 3/21.
New Zealand 147/6 (27.1 overs)- M Guptill 53, B McCullum 48; S Broad 4/39.
MAN OF THE MATCH: G ELLIOT(NZ)

Match 11:Group A:Australia v Pakistan at Centurion - Sep 30, 2009
Australia won by 2 wickets (with 0 balls remaining)

Pakistan 205/6 (50 overs)- M Yousuf 45, K Akmal 44; S Watson 2/32, M Johnson 2/45.
Australia 206/8 (50 overs)- M Hussey 64, R Ponting 32; S Ajaml 2/31, M Asif 2/34.

MAN OF THE MATCH:M HUSSEY(AUS)

Match 12:Group A: India v West Indies at Johannesburg - Sep 30, 2009

India won by 7 wickets (with 107 balls remaining)

West Indies 129 (36 overs)-D Sammy23, D Bernard 22; P Kumar 3/22, A Nehra 3/31.
India 130/3 (32.1 overs)- V Kohli 39, D Karthik 34; G Tonge 2/36.

MAN OF THE MATCH: V KOHLI(IND)

1st Semi-Final: Australia v England at Centurion - Oct 2, 2009

New Zealand won by 5 wickets

Eng 257/10(47.4 overs)- T Bresnan 80, L Wright 48; P Siddle 3/55, S Watson 2/35.
Aus 258 for 1(41.5overs) S Watson 136*, R Ponting 111*; G Onions 1/47.

MAN OF THE MATCH: S WATSON(AUS)

2nd Semi-Final: New Zealand v Pakistan at Johannesburg - Oct 3, 2009

New Zealand won by 5 wickets (with 13 balls remaining)

Pak 233/9(50 overs)- U Akmal 55; I Butler 4/44, D Vettori 3/43
NZ 234/5(50 overs) - G Elliot 75, D Vettori 41; S Ajmal 2/39

MAN OF THE MATCH: D VETTORI(NZ)

FINAL: Australia Vs New Zealand at Centurion- Oct 5, 2009

Australia won by 6 wickets(with 28 balls remaining)

Nz 200/9(50 overs)- M Guptil 40, NT Broom 37; N Haurtis 3/37, B Lee 2/45.
Aus 206/4( 45.2 overs) - S Watson 105* , C White 62; K Mills 3/27.

Summary:
New Zealand team suffered a big blow even before the start of the match, their captain Vettori got hamstring injury, that made him to sit out of the big final. New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat first. Stand-in captain McCullum faced 16 balls and cant score a run and got duck out in Siddle over. Other batsmen to struggled to get runs. They played slowly and played only bad balls and scored runs slowly. Guptil managed to score 40, other players like Taylor, Elliot failed. Broom and franklin stood for 65 runs partnership. Tail enders to played some handy knock to make NZ to set a target of 201 runs to mighty Australians.
Australia started to their batting slowly, knowing its tough to bat during chase and New zealand bowlers too bowled well getting Paine and Ponting cheaply. Watson,at first played too slowly, leaving the good balls and hitting bad balls. The turning point of the match was White was dropped by McCullum, he had to run long way but cant hold the catch. At that time Australia was struggling to score runs. As match progresses, Watson and White started to score runs quickly and thus maintaining the run rate well. The 3rd wicket partnership between Watson and white scored 138 runs.
Watson made second consecutive 100, thus held Australia in strong position to win the final. He was also named man of the match. Australia is successfully defended their title and it is the only team to win Champions Trophy in a row.
Australia is now Champion of Champions.

MAN OF THE MATCH: S WATSON(AUS)

PLAYER OF THE SERIES: RICKY PONTING(AUS)

BATSMEN OF THE SERIES: RICKY PONTING(AUS) -288 runs from 5 matches

BOWLER OF THE SERIES: WAYNE PARNELL(SA) -11 wickets from 3 matches

AUSTRALIAN TEAM CELEBRATIONS