Are you looking forward to the Champions Trophy?

A short, sharp tournament featuring the top eight sides is the best showcase for ODI cricket. It helps that the teams are evenly matched, and the conditions in England will redress the balance between bat and ball.

The tournament lacks context and is merely an exercise to fill the ICC coffers between World Cups. The format is too short and cricket-watchers seldom read too much into the final standings. The World Cup remains the pinnacle of the ODI format.