Champions Trophy: ICC announces new format

London:

The 2006 ICC Champions Trophy, which is to be held in India next year may still be some time away, but the ICC has today approved of a new format for the tournament. If India don't improve their current 7th position by next year, then they will not automatically qualify. The ICC has also cut the number of teams down from 12 at the last edition in England in 2004 & Sri Lanka in 2002 to 8 teams.

Eight teams in two groups The new format will see eight teams split into two groups of four with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the semi-finals and final. The eight teams will comprise the top six sides in the LG ICC ODI Championship table on 1 April 2006 plus the top two teams from the initial qualifying round of the ICC Champions Trophy 2006. This initial qualifying round will take place in India in the days immediately preceding the group stage. It will be a four-team round robin play-off for the teams ranked 7-10 in the LG ICC ODI Championship table on 1 April 2006.