Well finally the ICC have thrashed out a decision regarding the Champions Trophy either going or not going ahead this year. And the verdict is...well the verdict is that the competition will be postponed until next year, October 2009 to be precise.
The ICC deliberated about the best way to handle this situation, keen to avoid upsetting Pakistan but keeping in mind the safety concerns of those competing. The bit I like most about this whole situation was one of the possible solutions dreamt up by the ICC, that being to carry on with the tournament without those who intended to boycott the event, namely South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia and West Indies, and replace these with other countries.
Now, seeing as there aren't many other competitive teams out there this could have been an interesting proposition, and I do wonder who they had in mind to fill the giant hole that would have been so obviously apparent. Maybe the following extract, which has of course been completely made up, with a few stereotypes thrown in, could have filled the columns of the sporting pages...
'The Champions Trophy finally draws to a close and what a fascinating, if not absurdly unique competition it has been. It all started with both Cambodia and Germany striding through the Qualifying rounds to join the other competing nations in the group stages.
Germany in Group A, felt a little unlucky to find themselves up against India, USA and Cornwall (who recently declared Independence from the UK) The Cambodians on the other hand felt cock sure of progression Group B when they drew Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Vatican City.
Group A turned out some thrilling matches, especially the 7 wicket win Germany enjoyed over India after a powerful batting display from Gruber Bernhard, who went about the Indian bowlers in typical efficient fashion, his white lederhosen a blur between the two wickets. Cornwall meanwhile showed the USA how it's done, beating them by over 700 runs (the USA demanding in their matches runs were worth 20 times the normal amount). Germany and Cornwall went on to top the table, Germany just ahead, and be the first two teams into the semi finals.
Group B was a little more pedestrian in comparison, with only half the scheduled games being played. Vatican City refused to play on Sunday and Cambodia, after a rousing victory over Sri Lanka in their opening match, were only able to muster 5 players for their next game as some of the team had 'disappeared' after a celebratory banquet. However, despite Vatican City playing one less game they were able to progress to the semi final along with the home team, Pakistan.
The first semi final match saw Pakistan, the bookies favourites, line up against a strong Cornwall side. Pakistan took first to the crease and posted a healthy 315 for the chasing Cornishmen, who are notoriously good at holding their nerve when batting second. So it was a little surprising to see them all out for 125 after some average Pakistan bowling. When asked, the Cornish coach could only blame the fact there were no actual Cornish people in the team, which in fact was made up of holidaying Londoners who just have a nice little weekend home down on the coast.
The second match boasted the strong batting line up of Germany against the Vatican City's top seam bowler, Joseph Ratzinger, who could have actually turned out for Germany had he not been forced to seek Cricket elsewhere due to Germany's controversial religious quotas system, in which he did not want to be the 'token pope' in the team. It was a great game which ebbed and flowed, with Ratzinger finishing on figures of 5 - 39, but unfortunately savage efficiency finally won over blind faith and the German's set up a meeting with Pakistan in the final.
And what a final it was to be, Pakistan lost the toss and were put into field, but some good bowling and fielding restricted the German's to 215. However, Pakistan's innings didn't get off to a good start with 4 wickets falling for just 36 runs, but wayward bowling allowed them back into the game and in an exciting finale they needed 5 off of the last ball to take the match. Fortunately for Germany just 4 runs were scored, leaving the match tied and the ominous prospect of a 'bowl off' to decide the match. Germany were always in control at this point, having a very good record in previous bowl off rounds and saw the match home scoring all 5 hits to Pakistan's 3.
So Germany leave as winners of the Champions Trophy, they came, they saw and they truly did conquer'
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