Champions Trophy – brief history:
The first tournament, labeled as a mini World Cup, was staged in Dhaka in October 1998 and raised more than £10 million. The second, in Nairobi, was a commercial success although the crowds stayed away. By the time the 2002 event was held – there was disquiet as it was so close to the World Cup. In 2004 the jamboree moved to England and it became clear the format of group games led to too many meaningless games. By the time the 2006 tournament in India came into view, the event was under fire from some quarters, and at one time there were even hints that India might decline to take part in 2008.
1998-99, Bangladesh:
Winners: South Africa
Runners-up: West Indies
No. Countries: 9
Man of the series: JH Kallis (South Africa)
The knock-out format, with eight matches compressed into nine days fuelled the locals’ excitement. South Africa won by beating West Indies in the final, although Wisden noted that “it was thus a tournament in which the winning really was less important than the taking part.”
2000-01, Kenya:
Winners: New Zealand
Runners-up: India
No. Countries: 11
The format of second edition remained a straight knock-out – and the Nairobi Gymkhana, which had received a million-dollar refurbishment ahead of the event, hosted all games. The only sadness was the lack of local interest, and the suggestions of match-fixing that subsequently surfaced in the Anti-Corruption Unit’s report to the ICC. New Zealand surprisingly beat India in the final, thanks to Chris Cairns’s 102, but it was a one-off success – their next 13 ODIs produced 11 defeats and just one win.
2002-03, Sri Lanka:
Winners: India/Sri Lanka
No. Countries: 12
The proximity of the World Cup, less than five months later, poor organization and a revised format that meant most group matches were all but pointless. The ICC also decided to use the tournament to experiment with technology (Pakistan’s Shoaib Malik became the first victim of an lbw decision deferred to the third umpire). Sri Lanka and India only sent full-strength sides after contract disputes were settled at the last minute, but Sri Lanka made it to the final after a popular win over an unpopular Australia. However, they shared the trophy with India when both attempts to finish the final were washed out by tropical storms.
2004, England:
Winners: West Indies
Runners-up: England
No. Countries: 12
Man of the series: RR Sarwan (West Indies)
The growing weariness with the event was unchecked with it being held so late in season that cricket was all but forgotten by the media. The continuation with the format that had been so flawed in Sri Lanka did not help. Apart from the final and India’s matches, attendances were again dire. The final, which witnessed a remarkable comeback by West Indies to defeat England in almost pitch darkness, offered scant consolation after such a poor competition.
2006-07, India:
Winners: Australia
Runners-up: West Indies
No. Countries: 10
Man of the series: CH Gayle (West Indies)
The fifth edition, held five months before the World Cup, will be best remembered for Australia’s eventual capturing of the one piece of silverware that had previously eluded them. High-priced tickets kept Indian fans away, Diwali season was also a distraction. With the termination of the monsoons just prior to the tournament, the pitches had not settled, and provided bounce and lateral movement – the pitches provided more even contests between the bat and ball, as opposed to the batsman v batsman game that ODIs in India were threatening to become. The steady performances of Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and West Indies took them to the semi-finals.
Australia’s took the crown in style, winning by eight wickets under the D/L method. “Damien Martyn, who had batted so beautifully in the victories over England and India, once again played his part with a classy unbeaten 47, but it was Watson who ensured that the reserve day would not be needed as Australia’s traveling support celebrated yet another triumph.
