Wizards of Oz in quest for Champs Trophy hat-trick

TWO-TIME ICC Champions Trophy winners Australia are looking to lift the trophy on a third occasion this summer, and they have a squad that is very much capable of doing so.

They recorded back-toback wins in 2006 and 2009, but were denied the hat-trick when India won in 2013.

While India have lifted the trophy twice – once in 2013 after beating England in the final and the other in 2002 when they shared the title with Sri Lanka – only Australia have won two ICC Champions Trophy finals.

Looking at Australia’s stats makes for interesting reading with big names standing out. Their most-capped player at the Champions Trophy is former captain and CT17 commentator Ricky Ponting, who played 18 games at the tournament. He is their top-scorer at the tournament, racking up 593 runs in his 18 appearances. He’s followed by Damien Martyn (492) and Shane Watson (453).

Shane Watson holds several records with the bat at the ICC Champions Trophy, one being that he hit his country’s highest score at the tournament when he struck 135* against England in 2009.

Watson’s unbeaten century against England was one of two hundreds he’s scored at the tournament, more than any other Australian player.

However, the two players who share the record for most 50s at the tournament are Damien Martyn and Ricky Ponting with five apiece. Martyn has the highest average of any Australian at the tournament, with his 492 runs at the ICC Champions Trophy coming at an average of 61.50 from 11 innings.

Watson also tops the ranks for most sixes hit (12). He has also hit the most sixes in an innings (7 v England in 2009).

The record for most runs hit at a single ICC Champions Trophy by an Australian is 288 by Ponting as he led his side to glory in 2009.

With the ball it’s two of Australia’s most famous and feared seamers who lead the way in terms of wickets taken. Brett Lee is No 1 with 22, closely followed by his former bowling partner Glenn Mcgrath on 21.

The most potent bowler is former paceman Michael Kasprowicz, who took wickets at a strike rate of 21.6 at the tournament, better than any other Australian.

It wouldn’t be an Australian record list without Shane Warne, and the former leg-spinner has the best economy rate at the tournament for his country. He has bowled 20.2 overs at the Champions Trophy at a very economical rate of 2.95 runs per over. – African News Agency (ANA)