|
Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata will host the matches of the ICC Champions Trophy in September, the ICC has confirmed. Mumbai will host the final.
The announcement came amidst whispers that the tournament would be cancelled. ICC president Ehsan Mani said the issue had never been raised, in spite of reports to the contrary.
The Champions Trophy was first played in 1998 (under the moniker of the ICC Knock Out tournament), and has since been played on a biennial basis. South Africa won the 1998 tournament in Bangladesh, while New Zealand's victory over India in Nairobi in 2000 gave them their first piece of major silverware.
The final between India and hosts Sri Lanka in 2002 was washed out, while the West Indies pulled off an unforgettable run-chase with last pair Courtney Browne and Ian Bradshaw combining to defeat hosts England at The Oval in 2004.
Due to the tournament's different format this year, either England or Sri Lanka will be forced to qualify to reach the final eight, depending on results in the next three months.
The top six sides in the ICC ODI Championship Table are guaranteed a place, while the final two places will be decided after a qualifying round.
The eight teams are then split into two groups, with the top two from each group progressing to semi-finals and then the final, at Mumbai.
