Groups confirmed for ICC Champions Trophy 2006

West Indies - 2004 Winners © Getty Images

The International Cricket Council today confirmed the groupings for the ICC Champions Trophy 2006 that will take place in India from 7 October to 5 November.

The tournament will begin with a four-team first round comprising the teams that were seventh to tenth in the LG ICC ODI Rankings on 1 April 2006.

First round:

Sri Lanka (7th in LG ICC Rankings on 1 April)
West Indies (8th)
Zimbabwe (9th)
Bangladesh (10th)

The top two teams from this round robin first round will join the top six sides from the LG ICC Rankings in the second round.

Second round:

Group A
Australia (1st)
India (3rd)
England (6th)
Qualifier 2

Group B
South Africa (2nd)
Pakistan (4th)
New Zealand (5th)
Qualifier 1

The top two sides from each group will progress to the semi-finals with the winners of these matches contesting the final on 5 November.

The full tournament schedule is expected to be announced later this month.