No fixed address

Yet even the lads from Oz would admit though to being more than a tad disappointed. This was one time, they thought, that they had the side to do it; even without Shane Warne.

As for South Africa, barely recovered from the shellacking in Sri Lanka, they are further deflated and slip more embarrassingly down the limited-overs rankings. This time they were sent there by a Windies side that is at last grappling with cohesion, identity and that old Caribbean flair that made them unique. Safs captain Graeme Smith has shrugged aside the result, their coach Eric Simons talks about failing confidence and the culture of defeat creeping into their game.

So far 2004 has not been a good year; the wine has long gone sour. But that is the history of the ICC Champions Trophy, now into its fourth airing. Maybe, just maybe, number five will be played in India (tax laws permitting). Nothing is certain, every time around a new name on the trophy and a new captain stepping up to take the prize. Two years ago, it was shared between neighbours India and Sri Lanka.

Sanath Jayasuriya and Sourav Ganguly were the two men smiling for the cameras; only Ganguly remains at the helm and is now throwing out challenges to his teammates to start batting as India should bat.

There are, of course criticisms of the tournament. This time it’s unseasonable September weather in England, the one-sidedness of the games, teams from warmer climes affected by the conditions. It’s moan-a-day time as teams hoping to be playing in yesterday’s final packed their bags early and head for home with a disgruntled media in pursuit.

Barely, though, do teams get time to settle before they are into another series. This may have something to do with the way the Champions Trophy is sometimes downplayed, as is the fact that it is seen as a tournament to build the ICC coffers and to give the sponsors that extra exposure.

In some cases, players go through the motions. Yet the way Rahul Dravid batted last Sunday at Edgbaston showed that there is definitely pride in Team India’s efforts; the way Herschelle Gibbs tossed off a bad run stretching back to New Zealand, displayed commitment to the Safs cause, and Chaminda Vaas bowled with as much passion as you would expect from the left-arm swing and seam specialist.

So, where is the message in all this? For one thing, don’t expect the favourites to win the Champions Trophy. It is the event that defies formbook predictions and in many cases players’ skills.

For some it is an in-between season event and, while there are those who want to make their presence felt, it is also a tournament that is a harbinger for bad times ahead.

Sure there is a place for the event, but maybe it is time for a format change, or a differing system of team pool selection. After all, Sri Lanka were drawn in Pool 4 on the strength of their seventh placing when the draw was made back in April. They turned up to the event in second place and faced England who were sixth but had dropped a couple of rungs as a result of underperforming in the NatWest series.

The happy medium has still to be found.