ODI preview / Frank Gregan / 26 August 2008 /

Relocation of the Champions trophy would have been feasible had the ICC not dragged their heels in cancelling the Pakistan tournament, says Frank Gregan.

I would imagine that there was a huge collective sigh of relief from international cricketers all over the globe after the ICC announced the postponement of the Champions Trophy.

The tournament was scheduled to take place between 12-28th of September in Pakistan with the top eight nations competing although South Africa had already withdrawn because of concerns over the escalating violence in the host nation. There have been over one thousand deaths as a result of suicide bombers in Pakistan in the last twelve months and the ICC has taken the decision to postpone the event in order to safeguard the safety of the players and officials.

The President of the ICC, David Morgan explained the decision. "There was a realisation that, under the present circumstances, some of the teams due to compete had reservations about touring there which could not be removed. In those circumstances it was considered prudent to postpone the event until 2009, a time when we all hope conditions will be more acceptable for all the competing teams."

Of the eight teams who were due to compete five had intimated that they would not be able to send a squad to Pakistan. The ICC was therefore left with a simple decision, relocate the event or postpone it. Consideration was given to moving the tournament to Sri Lanka but this was quickly dismissed because it was thought that there was insufficient time to get the logistics in place.

It could be argued that the ICC has been aware of the situation in Pakistan for a considerable time and has delayed making an inevitable decision. An earlier resolution would have made relocation feasible but they have dragged their heels.

The postponement has left a massive gap in the International Cricket Calendar. Australia play Bangladesh in the 3rd ODI in Darwin on 6th September and then it is a case of cold turkey for cricket fans around the globe until 9th October when the Aussies play their first test of their tour of India in Bangalore.

Efforts are underway to fill the void with Pakistan hoping to arrange a tri series in South Africa featuring themselves, the hosts and India. They are also investigating the possibility of going to Australia should the South African option not come to fruition. New Zealand are also on the lookout for opponents but are unable to host because of the weather.

There is little doubt that with England, New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and the West Indies not being willing to participate in the ICC Champions Trophy that the board have made the right decision in postponing the event. It's just a pity they didn't do it two months ago to allow re-scheduling to be done in a professional manner. An awful amount of cricket fans are in for a boring six week period.

However, there will be hopefully nothing boring about today's second ODI between England and South Africa. These games ebb and flow and a strategy that I have applied successfully in the past is to back both sides in running at [4.0]. If both wagers are matched as the game swings one way and then the other the odds returned works out at [3.0]. It's surprising how often that ploy bears fruit.

Anyone who followed my recommendation to back England at [3.0] to win the series before the 1st ODI will be smiling. However, tears are never likely to be far away where English cricket supporters are concerned and I suggest we learn from history and lay England at [1.96]. This will allow a free bet and release some funds to back both sides at [4.0] in running this afternoon.

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