The last six weeks in India has been a very rewarding experience for Australian cricket. Initially, New South Wales dominated the domestic Champions League and then the national side, absent many of their first choice regulars, swept a strong looking India aside with a match to spare in the seven match series.

In retrospect 2009 has been a reasonably successful year. The squad may have surrendered The Ashes and failed at the World T20 but on top of their most recent success they defeated South Africa away, Pakistan in Abu Dubai, cantered the Natwest Trophy and retained the Champions Trophy.

Not bad for a team in apparent decline.

One aspect of this recent series that cannot be ignored is the confidence that Ricky Ponting creates among his men. Almost every new player that has come into the team of late, and there have been about a dozen, has performed admirably and made significant contributions to the team’s winning habit. For the younger players Punter is an icon who they want to impress and his stated desire of rebuilding Australian cricket in much the manner of Allan Border did after the retirements of the Chappell/Lillee/Marsh era is well ahead of schedule.

With this series being used as practise for the next World Cup, Australia can feel buoyant that they have every chance of recording a remarkable fourth consecutive trophy when the tournament begins in 2011. Almost every player on the fringe of the national squad has gained experience this last year and very few have been abject failures, Bryce McGain excepted.

Tim Paine, Doug Bollinger, Ben Hilfenhaus, Dave Warner, Phillip Hughes, Callum Ferguson and Shaun Marsh are some of the new faces that have enhanced their reputations while Cameron White (in limited overs cricket), Shane Watson, Nathan Hauritz and Peter Siddle can now join Ponting, Hussey, Clarke, Lee, Johnson and Haddin as first choice players when fit.

With so many now having a taste of tough international cricket, competition for places will be intense this domestic southern summer and it is this astonishing depth of ready-made talent where Australia still have an edge in international cricket. There will be a few losses along the way but the momentum that began with Allan Border holding the World Cup aloft at Eden Gardens in 1987 is far from diminished.

After Australia’s Ashes loss in 2005 they began a run that annihilated record and opponent. If their cricket since the disappointment of The Oval is any indicator perhaps history will repeat itself except this time the majority of the squad won’t be retiring in the duration.

Not a popular prospect within the wider cricketing family but one they’ll learn to accept as Australia’s next batch of young cricketers are probably more advanced technically (Phillip Hughes excepted) and psychologically than their legendary forebears at the same age.

There don’t appear to be players of the ilk of Ponting, McGrath and Warne among them but their overall ability and spread of talent is far broader. Australian cricket recognised early that in this age of three formats, T20 leagues and never ending scheduling the depth of every nation will be tested and those with the greatest resources will triumph.

In recent months, Australia has proved its resilience and exceeded expectation, and in doing so, have sown the seeds for a bright and blossoming future where a fourth consecutive World Cup looms large.

That is the primary Australian goal in white ball cricket at the moment and considering how easily they won the Champions Trophy and the Hero Honda Cup, the new brigade have a golden opportunity to make this outlandishly ambitious and historic dream a reality.

Image [Getty]

As we enter the next phase of the inaugural Champions League four teams are packing their bags and heading home and below is a summary of their misfortunes.

OTAGO

Outclassed in both matches and far too reliant on the world’s most over-rated cricketer Brendan McCullum. Their fielding was of a high standard but having to chase big totals in both games proved too difficult. The bowling lacked penetration and was wayward when under pressure and if they get an opportunity to return next tournament they’ll need to improve ten-fold to have any chance.

SUSSEX

Smashed by NSW and then lost their way in the crunch match against the Eagles from Bloemfontein. Their highest individual score in the tournament was 25 by Joe Gatting batting at seven and their fielding especially around the boundary was abysmal. Their bowling was serviceable with Yassir Arafat and Dwayne Smith very good but with scores of 95 and 119 their failure to build even one partnership over 30 was the main reason they are heading home winless.

DECCAN

Chock full of a cashed-up and in most cases washed-up internationals the team representing Hyderabad were woeful. They lost two matches they had in the bag through sloppy unprofessional cricket. Beamers, no-balls, wides, ridiculous slogging, dropped sitters, you name it, they made every cricketing error imaginable interspersed with all too brief moments of brilliance.

WAYAMBA

The champions of Sri Lanka never stood a chance after Sehwag, Karthick, Nannes and McGrath took then to the cleaners in their first outing. They bounced back with a consolation victory when they defeated Victoria but never scored enough to put any pressure on the Vics who only needed 80 odd to qualify. Never scored beyond six an over in the tournament yet they were the best of the vanquished by a long way and could have gone further if their draw would have been more favourable.

Of the eight going through to the next round NSW, Cape Cobras, Trinidad and Victoria already have a win and two points under their belt and with only two matches to play before the semi-finals and barring a catastrophic loss just one more win should see them through.

GROUP A

NSW 2 points play Trinidad and Somerset
Trinidad 2 points play NSW and Eagles
Somerset 0 points play NSW and Eagles
Eagles 0 points play Somerset and Trinidad

GROUP B

Cape Cobras 2 points play Victoria and Delhi
Victoria 2 points play Cobras and Bangalore
Delhi 0 points play Bangalore and Cobras
Bangalore 0 points play Victoria and Delhi

Some tasty fixtures to come especially in Group B while NSW look overwhelming favourites to progress in Group A.

What do you reckon?

Every team at the Champions League has now played a match and while some are already through to the next stage and some are teetering on the edge of elimination I’ve seen enough to offer some thoughts on the tournament and the outfits involved.

Before diving headlong into that task a short word about the media’s general description of the tournament. I keep reading that the Champions League is a club tournament. This may be correct for some of the teams involved but in most cases this is grossly incorrect.

They are not clubs but representative First Class teams made up of players from lower division clubs. Grade cricket clubs in Australia’s case. Some may think this insignificant but I doubt that the players from Trinidad believe they are playing club cricket. They are representing their nation and in NSW and Victoria’s case, their individual states.

Enough semantics. Harking back to cricket I’ve found this tournament most enjoyable. In this age of endless international fixturing the game at the highest level is becoming somewhat homogenised and watching the differing approaches of each individual nation’s champion has been fantastic especially when you appreciate the unique way that different cultures and geographic regions approach the game.

It is difficult to judge Indian domestic cricket using the IPL teams as a mirror due to the overwhelming number of imports and slightly less so the English representatives due to their multicultural nature, which is at least a facsimile of their international team’s make-up, but many of the best performed teams – Victoria, the Cape Cobras, NSW and Trinidad – are comprised of  players brought up and educated from the same cricketing system. For the time being at least, this familiarity with each other, both from a cricketing and cultural perspective, has served them very well indeed.

NSW and Trinidad are perfect examples of this with both teams playing in the style that has made them famous the cricketing world over for generations.

NSW, who believe wholeheartedly that they are and have always been the best First Class region on the planet, play as you would expect. Ruthlessly, aggressively and efficiently. That is and always has been the way they play and Australia’s style reflects this.

Similarly, Trinidad are full of spinners and outrageous strokemakers which has been their approach to cricket for many a decade and it is this display of regional style that is making the tournament a delight to witness.

The BCCI, Cricket Australia and the South African Cricket Board deserve credit for putting their many differences aside and creating this tournament because it will be a success, now and in the future, although I am yet to be convinced that it will eventually be the all franchise extravaganza that many a pundit predict.

I cannot imagine a time when Australian State cricket teams will be similar to IPL franchises although a couple of guest T20 players is likely to be commonplace, although a tad controversial, if the unexpected negative reaction to Lasith Malinga’s potential T20 contract for Tasmania is any indication (Some think that the money could be better spent as Tasmania have a fine bowling attack and less resources than other States).

Nor can I see the Caribbean nations going in a similar direction. This is their only chance to represent their nation in cricket outside their regional tournaments and the importance and prestige of that fact is not to be underestimated.

I’m led to believe the English teams have tightened their import allocation. Additionally, it is doubtful teams from New Zealand and Sri Lanka would ever be able to afford the millions to replicate the IPL model either. Perhaps the South African faux-franchises may follow the IPL method but for the forseeable future the cricket world outside India will follow the same methods that they always have. That is pick the best team from the competition directly below First Class level and invest in the youth of their particular region.

From what I’ve seen so far in the stadia of Hyderabad, Delhi and Bangalore it is doubtful that the cricketing world is about to change significantly. However, this tournament is providing an excellent platform to showcase domestic cricket and that can only be good for the game on every level and in every sense.

Stay Human

The inaugural domestic Champions League begins later tonight in Bangalore with the home team led by Anil Kumble pitting their skills against South African T20 champions the Cape Cobras from the Western Province region in Southern Africa.

Other teams in the competition hail from England, Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and the Caribbean but for reasons that I’m unaware of Pakistani and Bangladeshi teams are not included. Perhaps they were not invited to participate or maybe they declined the opportunity and if any readers know why they are not competing please leave a comment on the matter and enlighten us.

It is a shame that Pakistan is not represented. They are undoubtedly the kings of T20 cricket being unfortunate runners-up in the World T20 of 2007 and champions of the last event a few months back. That being said, the winners of this tournament may claim to be the best domestic T20 outfit on the planet but without Pakistani representation it is, and always will be, a questionable boast.

The tournament comprises a curious mix of franchises and representative teams and it will be fascinating to see if the dollar is indeed mightier than honour. The prizemoney is substantal for the winners, $US2.5million for the winners and $US6million shared overall.

I understand that for most of the teams the prizemoney is entirely their own to use as they please, which could have major implications for their domestic competitors, but that is not the case for the Australian teams of Victoria and New South Wales.

The players will be paid a percentage bonus for their participation and the state association also but a proportion of the funds will go into Cricket Australia’s Development fund for the benefit of everyone involved in Australian cricket. Even in this brave new world of cricketing mercenaries and privately run franchises domestic cricket in Australia is still entirely focused on being a nursery for international players.

This may change in the future, and if it does it will be to the detriment of cricket on the Southern continent, but for now Australian cricket will continue with their semi-socialist structures that have served them very well for over a century.

During the IPL the teams were only permitted four foreigners per match and although I am not certain I don’t think a similar rule applies in this tournament. Therefore, in tonight’s match half the Bangalore team could conceivably be imports and with four of them South African – Kallis, Steyn, Boucher and Roelfe van der Merwe – the Cape Cobras, who are made up entirely of locals, won’t be overawed as they know them well and play against them regularly.

Sure, the Cobras are missing injured and irreplaceable captain Graeme Smith but with Gibbs and Duminy as batting stars and Charl Langeveldt and Monde Zondeki leading the bowlers they’ll put on a good show and might even upset the home team if conditions suit. They are a tight unit with a fine coach in Shukri Conrad and have publicly stated that they are more focused on representing Western Province with distinction than any financial windfall.

This theme of regional, and in the case of Trinidad, national representation against the naked capitalism of the franchises is sure to be a recurring topic throughout the tournament and although an obvious simplification, it will be interesting to see if the romantic notion of community can triumph over the cold reality of materialistic gain.

If, as expected, the Indian owned teams dominate then it is likely that the cricketing landscape could change forever with privately owned franchises replacing centuries old community based regional teams at domestic level sooner than most expect.

There is much more at stake than a trophy and a big fat cheque during this tournament and whichever way the cards fall it is my hope that eventually cricket and the people who play and follow the ancient game are left with an improved, healthy and inclusive sport that will still have at its core the humanistic principles of respect and fraternity that have given opportunity and enjoyment to so many for so long.

Stay Human

Before turning attention from South Africa to India for the Champions League a few final thoughts on the 2009 Champions Trophy from an Australian, or more precisely, a Tasmanian perspective.

SHANE WATSON

A double hundred in a Shield final, World Cup winner, IPL Player of the Tournament, twice Man of the Match in Champions Trophy finals, twin unbeaten centuries in the semi-final and final of the latest tournament and still Australia’s most famous phasmophobic gay icon is yet to become an established selection in the national XI in all forms of the game.

If he stays fit that will surely change over the next 12 months as he is poised to fill the belligerent boots of a man that few thought could be replaced, Matthew Hayden. By batting in the same style as his former Queensland team-mate Watson will allow Australia the luxury of continuing to play an aggressive brand of cricket that was the bedrock of their decade of domination. He will, however, need to turn half-centuries into three figures regularly if he is to keep the likes of Jaques, Hughes, Klinger and Rogers at bay in the Test arena.

TIM PAINE

The kid from Hobart’s Eastern Shore has been living his dream the last few months and he has shown that there is still a place for outstanding gloveman in the limited over formats. His work behind the stumps has been a joy to watch, as has his sportsmanship, and he has contributed to Australia’s great run this last month by stumping as many batsmen in six weeks as Haddin has in his whole international ODI career.

All Tasmanians are very proud indeed of Tim’s and Hilfy’s behaviour during this winter and they, with their skipper, have represented our little island with dignity and respect. Being a small, community orientated, sports obsessed culture many children see them as role models and as a parent I am grateful to all three for setting a fine example for the kids of Tassie to follow.

RICKY PONTING

Completely in charge, Ricky led from the front and demanded nothing but excellence from his men. With the bat he was menacing and in the field threatening. His field settings were intuitive and ahead of the game and he was deservedly named Player of the Tournament. Even at 34 his appetite for cricket is voracious and he is determined to leave Australian cricket in better shape than when he debuted as skipper. That will be some feat but if 17 years of following Ricky’s career has taught me anything it is that he is a determined little bugger and that he should never, ever be underestimated.

BRETT LEE

When fit, flowing and ferocious Binga is literally athletic poetry in motion. Injury, ruthless Australian cricket philosophy and some excellent performances from the younger generation of quicks has meant that his reputation stood for little and like a true champion he has worked hard and taken his opportunities to reestablish himself as Australia’s premier fast bowler.

Whether bowling line and length, conventional and reverse swing, frightening bouncers or stump seeking yorkers he had opposition batsman all at sea and now that he understands that his place at the pinnacle of Australian cricket is by no means granted, it is expected that he put ego aside and not only stretch sinew and soul in every match but also teach and advise the younger bowlers who will eventually supercede him.

NATHAN HAURITZ

Bowled well beyond expectation and is forming a combination with Paine that is creating wickets from thin air. His use of flight and line has been impressive, as has Ponting’s fields, and his success has shown that given ample opportunity and the confidence of his captain he has what it takes to become Australia’s best finger spinner since Ashley Mallet.

The competition for the long-term spinning spot is still undecided but for now Hauritz has one foot in the door and an excellent summer should see that door shut on his competitors until well after the 2011 World Cup.

PETER SIDDLE

The man with the Southern Cross permanently emblazoned on his freckly back is guts personified.  At 24, with only a handful of international ODIs under his belt he was as heroic as he was miserly in the final. Clearly ill he gave everything for captain and country and there is no doubt that he has won the hearts of many in Australian cricket circles with his dedication and sacrifice this winter. It is hard to fathom that he has played less ODIs and is the same age as Tim Paine but I guess they build them tougher and decidedly rougher in rural Victoria than the leafy riparian suburbs of Hobart.

PRIZEMONEY

Although Australian cricket is flush with funds the $US2million will still buy plenty of bats, balls, shirts, caps, teaching aids and other equipment for the thousands and thousands of kids who begin their Milo Cricket Academy Programs all over the continent in the next few weeks. When Ricky and The Rollers win we all do one way or another.

DAVID LLOYD

Bumble is an affable chap. Amusing and generally entertaining but when it comes to cricketing knowledge outside of England he is a lightweight of hydrogenic proportions. I lost count of the number of times in Australia’s matches where he would pontificate about how hard Shane Warne is to replace. I understand that he is a Twitterer so could another Twitterer please do him and the rest of us a favour and inform him that Shane Warne hasn’t played one-day cricket for Australia since 2002 and that Brad Hogg was the spinner during their last two undefeated World Cup triumphs. So, David if you are reading this, repeat after me.

In limited overs cricket Shane Warne was replaced as easily as one changes socks. He was never missed. In fact, Australia excelled like no other limited overs cricket team in history without him.

The Benauds Happily Resplendent in their White, Cream, Ivory and Bone Jackets

Handing out white, cream, ivory and bone coats to the victorious Champions Trophy winners has garnered some criticism from some of the more cynical commentators on the Web but I for one applaud the ICC for their efforts in recognising the wit, humility and legend of Australia’s most loved former captain, Richie Benaud.

As you can see the current team are absolutely thrilled to have their spanking new coats which will undoubtedly be nicknamed Benauds within Australian cricket circles.

I’m told the Richie impressions were garnering many a laugh at the post match celebrations and that a tired and emotional Mike Hussey creatively added a Marvellous!! to every line in Under the Southern Cross while simulating every shot in the book with Ricky’s golden bat, much to the mirth of all involved.

You Bloody Beauty!

Seldom does an ICC tournament come to a close without some controversy or criticism yet this version of the 2009 Champions Trophy has had neither from an administrative point of view. Originally scheduled in Pakistan, the South Africans have put on a wonderful show that delivered exactly what the Champions Trophy was intended; to showcase 50 over cricket to the world.

Played in only two stadia the conditions have been contrasting. Generally, The Wanderers has assisted the bowling and Centurion the batting and with most teams playing at both venues this has made for a well balanced tournament where bowling and batting have both had stern examinations.

The shortened format, where almost every game has influence and consequence, has been welcome and exciting. Hopefully the ICC will understand that the cricketing public are not enthusiastic about overblown tournaments with irrelevant matches and consider this and amend the 2011 World Cup fixtures so that the premier limited-over event doesn’t resemble the farce of the previous version in the Caribbean.

The ruthless format has guaranteed that the two most deserving teams are appearing in the final and an intriguing contest it should prove to be. Logic and history strongly suggests that Australia should win comfortably but if the previous Chappell/Hadlee Trophy is any indicator then the favourites may not have it all their own way.

That series was tied two a piece and the hosts Australia were very lucky indeed to escape in the deciding game of the five match series. The rain affected ‘Gabba match was abandoned just one over short of the required minimum with New Zealand well ahead of the Duckworth/Lewis calculation. Australia got to keep the coveted silverware because they had won the previous series but it wasn’t deserved as their opponents had played the better cricket throughout the series.

Vettori and his men were bitterly disappointed on that stormy night in Brisbane and they’ll believe that they can compete and even defeat their more prosperous Trans-Tasman rivals this time around especially with the reintroduction of Shane Bond who has destroyed Australia regularly during his truncated career.

Incredibly, Bond takes a wicket every 18 balls against Australia and averages around 13 in 11 matches. He is the key to New Zealand’s chances for if he can do what he has done in previous encounters, decimate Australia’s top order, New Zealand will be well on their way to an historic victory.

From memory, Kyle Mills, Martin Guptill and Grant Elliot played very well in the last Chappell/Hadlee Series and with the classy dynamism of Ross Taylor and the crafty bowling and leadership of Daniel Vettori, the Black Caps can feel confident of causing a major upset tonight in Centurion.

From the Australian perspective nothing less than a win will suffice. Their batting is deep and versatile and the bowling led by a resurgent Brett Lee has done the job in every match this tournament. Obviously, Ponting is the prize wicket and if he is at crease for 20 overs the Champions Trophy should be safe in Australia’s keeping for another few years.

Lastly, this tournament has shown that there is a place for 50 over cricket in the global context of the game. With the introduction of the Powerplays the tactical element within the middle overs has gained intrigue and it is a perfect fit between the patient stratagem of Tests and the helter-skelter of T20 cricket. However, the ICC and the respective national boards need to understand that when it comes to ODIs the old axiom that less is more rings true. Both players and spectators are tired of meaningless matches tacked onto Test series and would prefer regular ODI contests with consequence, history and prestige.

It is relatively simple to implement. All the administrators need to do is commission trophies in the name of a previous great and keep it untainted by sponsor’s names. Play series for the prize on a regular basis and over time the contests will gain the public’s affection and attention much like the recently created Chappell/Hadlee Trophy and from a Test match perspective, the Border/Gavaskar Trophy.

To further make the point, Australia will visit India later this month to contest a seven match ODI series. I’ve no idea why or what they are playing for. Do you? Now imagine if there was a shiny trophy named the Kapil Dev Cup that Australia and India played for home and away on a regular basis. Wouldn’t that excite the synapses and increase the blood pressure for both player and fan alike? It certainly would create a hype and hysteria that can never be achieved by a meaningless series in an already crowded cricketing calendar.

Image [Getty]

England's Numbers Four and Five for the next two World Cups?

At full strength, England would win one in three matches vs Australia; shorn of KP and Flintoff, one in four; after an Ashes win, one in eight – and so it turned out as Australia crushed England to remove them from a tournament in which Strauss’ men over-achieved, but only because expectations were so low.

Andrew Strauss – Too much is being asked of him: he won’t step back from a challenge, but the man needs a break and now he will get it.

Joe Denly – Is finding the transition to international cricket difficult, but has impressed some good judges, though not this one.

Ravi Bopara – As Joe Denly, but has had a lot longer to come to terms with the international game. That Damien Martyn took so long to establish himself is the one reason the Trumpet continues to believe.

Owais Shah – Can be very good; can be very bad and is a terrible fielder. Unlikely to get a sniff of a place from any other team except WI and NZ, but is vital for England. He is the weather vane of England’s ODI side.

Colly – Had a bit of time off and came back determined to play his shots and did so, but couldn’t play the senior batsman role when he needed to.

Eoin Morgan – Lightening in the field and probably the answer to England’s search for a new Fairbrother / Bevan to finish off an innings with invention and power. A find, but with Ireland playing ODIs and Eoin having played for Ireland, he really should be representing Trent’s boys.

Matt Prior – Like Strauss, has been asked to do too much this summer and it showed.

Steven Davies –  Parachuting a player in against the Aussies in a crucial must win match is a tactic that will work once in a generation, not twice in six weeks.

Luke Wright – four matches, one wicket, sixty runs: either a wasted spot or not good enough. Probably a bit of both.

Stuart Broad – Missed a match or two recently with injury and returned to bowl with real aggression and take wickets. Now the second name on the team sheet after the captain and will need careful protection if not to be broken by the workload. Should be aiming to be Player of the Tournament at the next World Cup.

Tim Bresnan – nearly disproved The Trumpet’s comments re Steven Davies above and saved England from utter embarrassment with his semi-final 80, but, truth be told, the match was already gone and the pressure was off. May grow into a useful replacement for Broad at 8, but fellow Yorkshireman Adil Rashid is surely the classier player.

Swanny – Showed signs of too much cricket impacting on his performance. After runs and wickets in the Ashes and a pounding in the ODI series and now the Champions Trophy, he deserves a break.

Jimmy Anderson – After just one wicket in the second half of The Ashes, he found South Africa’s early Spring more conducive to his skills. Still needs to have something to fall back on when conditions don’t suit.

Graham Onions – His wicket to wicket line, which is such an asset in Test cricket, can make him easy to pick off in the ODI stuff. Thinks hard about his bowling though and may well adapt his style successfully.

Ryan Sidebottom – Came in for the odd game, as he does these days, and is unlikely to play much more in the future, especially as he is so restricted in the field.

THE LOSERS

With the preliminary rounds of the Champions Trophy now complete and a rare morning free to ponder cricket, a quick summation of both groups and semi-finalists appears a felicitous way to procrastinate while soaking up some welcome UV from the verandah. Personally, the best aspect of the tournament has been the inclusion of ICL pariahs like Shane Bond and Mohammed Yousef. They are excellent cricketers and their teams and cricket in general is brighter with them competing. What a waste it was to have them banned due to petty squabbling among the game’s administrators.

SOUTH AFRICA

The hosts and supposed heir to Australia’s ODI throne once again failed to progress past the first round in a global tournament on home soil much to the frustration of their inspirational captain Graeme Smith. Their bowling was indisciplined and their batting, Smith excepted, crumbled under pressure. Considering the talent within the squad South Africa should have done better and they have much work to do on the mental side of the game before the next World Cup.

SRI LANKA

Started very well with a comprehensive win over the Proteas then failed with bat against England and then with ball when playing New Zealand. After being runners-up at the last two global limited-over tournaments more was expected from Sangakkara’s men and their inconsistency and inability to seize control in the crucial moments in big matches must be a concern for their coach and captain.

WEST INDIES

The Caribbean Second XI never really stood a chance. Inexperienced and questioning if they belong at the elite level they were soundly beaten in every match. However, unlike the other three teams knocked out in the first round the Windies can take many positives from their young squad’s efforts. The younger members of the team now have the experience of a global tournament under their belt and they’ve uncovered a fine prospect in Antiguan Gavin Tonge who bowled very well despite having very little support. Unfortunately, if the same team arrives in Australia next month there will be a succession of very short, one-sided and quickly forgotten Test matches.

INDIA

The richest and most populous cricket nation failed on the big limited-over stage at the first hurdle for the third time in four outings. Clearly not good enough considering their resources and structures when compared to semi-finalists like New Zealand and Pakistan. Collectively, their bowling was poor against Pakistan and Australia and the batting struggled with scoreboard pressure in their opening match. Excuses will be made about injuries to key players but that doesn’t hold when you consider that England are missing Flintoff and Pietersen and New Zealand half their First XI.

THE WINNERS

ENGLAND

Surprised everyone including their own supporters with two fine wins against quality oppposition to begin the tournament. Their seamers led by Jimmy Anderson have been impressive and their batting has done the job without meaningful contribution from their influential and in-form captain. Obviously, playing Australia for months on end has served them well and the semi-final on Friday allows them a golden opportunity to leave another empty space in Australia’s once complete trophy room at Jolimont.

NEW ZEALAND

It is difficult not to admire the Black Caps. Decimated by injury, broke and with the smallest pool of cricketers in elite cricket they keep producing in major tournaments. They’ve played this tournament in excellent spirit and style and have found a way to win after looking likely to exit after their early loss to South Africa. How they continually find a way to triumph when more prosperous nations fall is obscure but after watching Kiwi’s battle against the odds in numerous sports for many a year I suspect it may have everything to do with pride and the Silver Fern on cap and chest.

PAKISTAN

The World T20 champions look likely to add the Champions Trophy to their growing list of recent achievements. They have a wonderfully balanced bowling line-up including the best white ball bowler of the past few years, Umer Gul, and and a pair of crafty and accomplished spinners in Afridi and Ajmal. Their middle-order batting is all class and composure and they have the confidence, balance and form to go all the way. Against Australia they cruised for 90 overs before increasing pressure and tempo in the last ten in search of an unlikely victory. In an inconsequential match they failed by one ball but they gave Australia an almighty fright and served notice that they are the best team at the tournament.

AUSTRALIA

Undefeated in nine of their last ten ODIs Australia are clearly a team who know how to win as evidenced by their last ball victory over Pakistan to squeeze into the semi-finals. No longer guaranteed success Ponting is desperate to retain the Champions Trophy and so far so good, as his team are the only outfit yet to taste defeat at the tournament. Their most experienced trio of Lee, Ponting and Hussey have all contributed at vital junctures and if they are to retain the crown they’ll need to continue to lead by example.

The bookies will probably have short odds on an Australia-Pakistan final but you would be foolish to discount the plucky Kiwis or an improving, although probably satisfied, England. What is certain is that the semi-finals will be contested keenly between firm favourites and unlikely underdogs. As long as the dastardly duo of Duckworth and Lewis do not interfere, whatever the outcomes the most deserving teams will advance. And that, in the end, is all we can hope for.

The only England player who enhanced his ODI reputation during the series

Andrew Strauss – Given a set of popguns to counter Australia’s big guns, his captaincy was as understated as ever – when winning, that approach can look like calm authority, but when losing, it looks like diffidence. Batted well, but, understandably after his workload this summer, couldn’t go on to make really big scores.

Ravi – The selectors have stuck with him admirably as he learns what international cricket is all about at the highest level. His continuing propensity to throw his wicket away needs sorting out very soon indeed or he’ll spend his career hammering county attacks and hoping for IPL contracts.

Matt Prior – Has played a lot of international cricket this year, all of it in the middle of the action and looks mentally fatigued. Needs to make big scores in ODI cricket if he is to bat in the top order – at Seven, 40 off 35 balls is good; it’s not good at Three.

Owais Shah – Good batsmen “book themselves in for bed and breakfast” – Shah always appears to be hailing a taxi. As a senior batsman, he radiates anxiety – excusable if you’re nervously making tons, but not when you don’t make fifty in seven innings. Terrible fielder for a professional cricketer.

Tim Bresnan – Chugged in to bowl slightly quicker than his approach suggested and made some useful runs in losing causes, but can you see him in a World Cup winning XI? No.

Eoin Morgan – Shows promise in the role of unorthodox middle order, middle overs run a ball merchant and deserves an extended run. Exactly the kind of player who would look good making 57 off 45 balls in a total of 290 – but how often do England make 290?

Ryan Sidebottom – Bowled some very handy late innings yorkers, but lacked penetration at the top of the innings. Must be close to being sent back to the counties for good.

Jimmy Anderson – Does he have enough weaponry to threaten good batsmen when conditions are not in his favour? Years of posing this question brings no closer to a definitive answer. A season or two in the IPL would accelerate his ODI nous, but who would have him?

Swanny – Bowled handily, indeed very well in the final match, but didn’t have the chance to influence matches when batting. Might need to think how best to use his personality in ODI cricket as he has done so successfully in Test cricket.

Colly – Took a mid-series break, a luxury rather dangerous for a man in his form to return for the final match of the series on his home ground. Adopting ugly, but effective, batting and bowling styles is fine if they are indeed effective – it’s not so fine when as ineffective as Colly has been in this series.

Luke Wright – Handy change bowler and handy biffer of ordinary bowling if found out by high quality stuff, he looks more a T20 man than an ODI player.

Joe Denly – Didn’t pull up any trees after his farcically delayed introduction after his football injury. Has the weight of shot so rare amongst English players, but needs to show that he can build match-winning innings.

Adil Rashid – Shows promise with the bat and the courage all leg-spinners need with the ball. Deserves better than being moved in and out of a side as poor as England’s – should really be told that he is Number 8 in ODIs no matter what the conditions and then we’ll see what he’s made of.

Stuart Broad – Like his captain, he had a good case for being given a bit of a break after Ashes heroics and got it with a fortuitously timed injury. Might need to be tried batting as a “wildcard” in the top six, as he can score very quickly once he has his eye in and, with his height, gives the bowler a real problem with length.

Dimi – Biggest hitter in this England squad, so hard to see why he only played two matches. His bowling won’t trouble the best, but can fill in four or five in the middle overs. Like Wright, he may well be a T20 man rather than an ODI player, but seems destined to be in and out of the ODI team.

Graham Onions – Brought in for a home ground match possibly to avoid too much bad feeling from the crowd if England went down to a 7-0 defeat. Might, like Hoggy, fail to broker a good Test career into a good ODI career.