No bonus points in Champions Trophy

The ICC has announced the playing conditions for the Champions Trophy, and has decided not to have a bonus-points system. The last two one-day tournaments, the Asia Cup and the Videocon Cup, both featured one - and Pakistan blamed it for their failing to make the final of the Asia Cup.

In case two teams are tied in the league stage, net run-rate will decide who gets through. Two points will be given for a win, one for a tie, and none for losing. Given the structure of the tournament, though, it is doubtful if any teams will be tied after the league games are over - there are four groups of three teams, of which two are strong teams and one is a relative minnow. The clash between the two strong teams in each group will therefore virtually decide the semi-finalists.

Of course, it could rain, but the ICC has planned a reserve day for each match, with play being extended to the second day in case of rain on the first, and the Duckworth-Lewis system coming into play only if rain disrupts the second day's play as well. A match that is interrupted on the first day will thus be continued on the second, instead of being abandoned, with a new match beginning from scratch - unlike in the last Champions Trophy final, where two half-matches were played instead of one full one. Only if two days are rained out in a row, wiping out a league game between two big teams, might the net run-rate come into play.

To read all the playing conditions for the ICC Champions Trophy, click here.