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Odds and Preview for the Champions Trophy 2017

Rahul Dhakan
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The ICC Champions Trophy 2017 will take place in England this summer from 1st June to 18th June 2017 across three different venues in the United Kingdom. Only the top 8 ODI ranked teams will be competing in what will be the eighth edition of this highly competitive ODI cricket tournament. Here are the Odds and Preview for the Champions Trophy 2017.

India are the defending champions as they won the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 in England. Bangladesh will replace West Indies and will play for second time since its debut in 2006. However, it will be the first time when the Caribbean team is out of the competition.

This upcoming instalment of the ICC Champions Trophy will be the third time that England host the tournament. England have reached the final in each of the two previous occasions in which they have hosted the tournament but have never won it.

Hosts England will take on Bangladesh at The Oval on June 1, 2017 as the two sides kick-start the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy. Defending champions India will begin their campaign with a grudge match against traditional rivals Pakistan. The match will be played at Edgbaston on June 4.The competition will also see Australia renew their rivalry with New Zealand with the 2015 ICC World Cup finalists set to meet at Edgbaston on June 2. South Africa will embark on their campaign with a match against Sri Lanka on June 3.

India, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka are in Group B while Australia, New Zealand, England and Bangladesh are in the Group A. We take a look at each team and how the weigh up against other top contenders.

 

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ENGLAND

After the 2015 world cup this team has improved a lot. England have a good caption in Eoin Morgan. The strongest point of this team is their strong and deep batting lineup. England play fearless cricket in ODI and T-20. England have a lots ​of smart all -rounder. They have three brilliant top order bastman i.e. Roy, Hales and Sam.

They have one of the best complete batsman in Jor Root while having a batsman of Eoin Morgan is also a bonus! . Every one knows​ about the ability of Buttler. He has the highest strike rate in ODI cricket. England have a very strong lower order in which they have a group of best all-rounders like Stokes, Ali and Woakes.

If we talk about England bowling in those condition then the England bowlers may be very dangerous. They have a lot of good swing bowlers like Willy and Woakes.

If Anderson and Broad will play than their batting and bowling attack will also be best. They have few more options in bowling like Finn, Jordan etc. England have also very good fielders. The most important thing is they well know their condition. Problem for England is that they are not good enough to win in big tournaments. If they will play to their potential then they will definitely win the trophy. Otherwise………..

INDIA :-

Having won the 2011 World Cup and 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, the Indian team is gradually growing into a consistent unit. In Virat Kohli they have a captain who leads from the front and build his team around attack in both bowling and batting. Historically India have struggled in England but their 2013 Champions Trophy triumph in the UK was something that they can build on. They remain an outstanding batting unit relying heavily on their top order to post big scores however their bowling is bang average and that is where they struggle even if they can post 300+ runs consistently.

India have a good fielding unit also but the problem is their fast attack. Only B. Kumar has done well in England ​before​. Jasprit is also bonus for India. And emerging players like Pandya and Axar Patel will play an important role in English conditions.

SOUTH AFRICA:-

An extremely talented unit who recent eclipsed Australia in the ODI rankings and now sit top of the charts. South Africa always go into the major ICC tournaments as one of the favourites. Usually get to a great start but choke when it really matters. They are in a group with India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka all winnable games from the Proteas. It is the knockout stage where they usually freeze and I expect another meltdown in the Semifinals. They are the best fielding side. Rabada may be very useful in these condition. ABD is back which gives them a huge boost. They love to play on all pitches. They have extraordinary finishers and a bowling line up which can match up in all conditions.

PAKISTAN:-

Pakistan may be very dangerous in English condition because they have a very dangerous swing bowling attack (Aamir & Junaid). Pakistan can give some fine cricketing action at England but they can fall in trouble since they are in a special group known as the “Group of Death.” It is impossible for them to qualify to the semis.

AUSTRALIA:-

Australia is and always has been a top ODI team, even when you look at their current squad which do not have any world beaters at the moment. They have a quality balanced squad and they tend to cope better on English wickets than another other touring nation.

Problem is that their batting position is not fixed yet. They have only two consistent batsman. I think if they will not play to their potential than they will finished in top four. They have a few good bowlers who may win matches for their side. Australia have performed very well in the ICC tournaments and still continue to do so. They have a good chance of winning the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 due to the form of Smith and Warner and their bowling is also good due to Starc and Cummins. Even Hazlewood and Faulkner can prove to be a deadly combination. They have a great chance at winning the cup.

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NEW-ZEALAND

New Zealand have some very good ODI bowlers ​who can do very well in these conditions. Tim and Boult may hurt any team on their day. Their bowling is more stronger than their batting. They have some good batsman also. They may be finish in the top four. My bet ks that New Zealand will make it to the semis as that the English pitches are favourable for swing. The kiwis can bat and bowl and can take wickets easily. New Zealand has never won a major international cricket tournament and this Champions Trophy is there best chance with the kind of squad they have at the moment. They should make it to the semifinals at least alongside Australia from Group A.

SRI LANKA

Sri Lankan cricket is trying to fill the huge shoes left by Sangakara and Jayawardene. They must be encouraged by the arrival of Niroshan Dickwella and Kusal Mendis as their quality has shone over the last few months. If they can consistently put on such performaces then they can prove to be genuine match winners for their country. They have some really good all-rounders​ but inexperience batting line-up may cost them. Overall they need to work very hard to win the trophy

BANGLADESH

Bangladesh are playing their 1st Champions trophy but they can win the hearts of their fans .They can fight in the toughest group to qualify for the semis with some good batsmen and bowlers. They fought their way through a tough group​ in the Cricket World Cup  two years ago and will aim to qualify for the quarter finals. They can do anything to win the contest.

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