The Champions Trophy is on the horizon. This may not be a source of universal excitement in the sporting firmament but for cricket fans it should be treasured. This tournament can be a cracker. The format allows no slack: with eight teams participating there are no dead games and 18 days between the opening match at The Oval and the final there on 18 June.
Bangladesh, who ousted West Indies from the final eight thereby splintering the old order, are already around, meeting Ireland in a rain‑ruined match in Dublin on Friday. So, too, are New Zealand, who play at Malahide against Ireland Sunday as part of a triangular tournament designed to allow the visitors to acclimatise to the northern hemisphere. South Africa arrive in the UK this week for three ODIs against England and we have confirmation that India are going to turn up.
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