What do you guys feel about the inclusion of Holland and the like in the champions trophy ?
I feel it will make a whole lot of matches boring.
I would n't mind predictions for the Final, mine is India (dil hai Hindustani) Vs Australia

I have no problems with the new countries coming in, it gives them a chance to play with world class opposition. You must remember that it was not all that long ago the Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe was in the same situation as the Dutch, and look at them now, especially Sri Lanka.

As far as a prediction, I don't think you can rule out the Proteas, and Sri Lanka has been very impressive. India V England next week should be a good game.

Going out on a limb here, Australia V South Africa is my tip for the final, with the Aussies to add another trophy to their bulging cabinet.

What Ozzz said.

Let us not forget as well that countries like Kenya and Bangla Desh have beaten some of the bigger boys in recent years, so what's to stop your Hollands or Canadas or Denmarks doing the same thing with a little luck? (or a LOT of luck?)
As for the final, Australia is a shoo-in, and I think that England may be an outside chance. I don't think South Africa and India are travelling as well as people think they are.

Well what you said is true but we never so many b-teams at one go ?
You saw what happened by making Bangaladesh a test team; what I feel is there should be two leagues.
Right now, its just a chance for the big "bullies" to break records, thats all.

Point taken, ace, but there are relatively few tournaments such as this one that the 'newbies' could play in. I think the cricket calendar is just too full for say, India, to take a tour of Canada, and the Canadians would only see a second string Indian team, anyway.

The other option is to have two teams from the major countries, but that opens another can of worms.

I agree with you, Oz.
I am not anti-Bteams as you may be thinking, but there are some points I like to mention:
1)The ICC doesn't seem to interested in their development , the only reason seems to showing an increasing number of cricket playing nations. Do you know that for the B teams , the ICC and other organisations hold only one tournament of any importance - to select three guinea pigs for the World Cup.
One more thing I have to say that in most of these teams, the players are not professionals. In the entire Holland team , only Bas Zuiderant is a professional, he plays for Sussex.
Then again for any team to develop, its players have to dedicate themselves solely to that cause.
Remember Zimbabwe might have won odd matches here and there before 1996 but they started winning on a consistent basis only after most of them decided playing cricket is more important than farming.

Ooops! I just saw the result of the England v India game.
Can I change my pick?

any ways i thought that was a truly amazing chase; seeing it live- wow
any ways I believe India are going more bothered by South Africa than Aussies
and one more thing - I am changing my prediction 2 - intuition tells me its going to be sri lanka in the final.

But if Sri Lanka makes the final, then Australia doesn't.

Exactly!

Ace, I have been checking the laws of cricket and have come to the conclusion that a final without Australia in it is illegal

This answer confirms my suspicions. Ozzz2002's real identity is.......







KERRY PACKER!!!!!!!!!!

Actually I knew it - just wanted to see how the aussies will react to my statement.
Of course I want Australia to be in the final because it is more FUN beating australia than srI lanka

ROFL, Mark... I would be happy with his millions, but not his identity

ace, challenge accepted. How many runs start would you like? lol

Whew - thank God !
It was one of the best comeback's I have seen from an Indian team.
We have this habit of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory; refreshing change!
Ozz, no fun with a headstart.
More than us, Australia would need it.

well at least my predictions (read modied predictions)
came true!!!

Ouch.. bloody Sri Lankans didn't read the rule-book..

We got flogged!

Umm, can I change my pick again?

I have doubt - does any one know why teams like Namibia etc (teams which qualified for the world cup) were not invited for the champions trophy?
After all, they also deserve a chance if holland was given a chance?
and namibia has to play zimbabwe, australia, england , india and pakistan in the prelim round of the world cup