Ian Chappell has predicted his four teams that would reach the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017. The Eight-Nation tournament, which will be hosted by England, is set to commence from June 1.
“The four really strong squads are hosts England, defending champions India and perennial competitors Australia and South Africa,” Chappell wrote in his ESPN column.
Chappell also felts that while India does not have the pace attack which other teams possess, they would surely be tough to deal with due to their capability of putting up collective performances.
“India doesn’t have the pace of the other three top bowling sides, but they do possess a well-balanced attack, capable of taking wickets in any conditions.”
As far as South Africa were concerned, the ex-Australian skipper felt that the South African are strong contenders but they need to do something special to shrug off the knockout stage jinx that has bothered them for a long time.
“South Africa are the fourth powerhouse team and, even without the injured Dale Steyn, they possess a strong pace attack. They also have the wily leg-spinner Imran Tahir seeking wickets in the middle overs, which is a crucial part of playing 50-over cricket successfully,” he said.
“The South African batting line-up is also powerful, but the team are yet to overcome the knockout-stage hoodoo that dogs them in tournaments. Despite assurances from skipper AB de Villiers in the 2015 World Cup that this was a thing of the past, they have done nothing to brush the monkey off their back.”
Less than a week ago, England was rocked by the horror of a suicide bomb attack in Manchester that killed that killed 22 people at an Ariana Grande concert on 22 May.
The attack caused concerns with the ICC but everything now seems under control as the security arrangements have been tightened up.
With security tightened up for the event, Chappell believes the tragedy will make a few English players anxious while other would cope with it better.
“The English are renowned for their stoicism in times of adversity and this trait will be fully tested under the circumstances,” he added. “Some players will cope better than others, but the ones who will fare the best are those who can overcome any anxieties and maintain their focus on cricket while they are out on the field.”
Chappell also remarked on the ongoing pay dispute between the Australia Cricket Board and the Australian Player Association. The idea of scrapping the existing revenue system in place of a new proposed model hasn’t generated any interest among cricketers, especially the domestic names. This has created a huge divide between the two disputing parties.
“The Australians are currently embroiled in a divisive pay dispute with their board, but the altercation has only served to unite the players,” he explained.
“The sense that this dispute will further galvanise the Australian team was reinforced by skipper Steven Smith when he indicated that winning the Champions Trophy would help the players in their negotiations with Cricket Australia.”