* Two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals depending on the highest points.
* In the event of teams finishing on equal points, the right to play in the semifinal will be given to the team with the highest net run rate* (NRR explained)
(*in a match declared as no result, run rate is not applicable )
Points Table
In Group A, we saw some the toughest cricket in the Champions Trophy . All four teams India, Australia,England and West Indies were fighting for victory right till the end. The group was not dominated by anyone as it went till the last match of the group to decide which team will go to the semifinals.India were already through before thri final match of the group but the fight was between England and Australia . England were well ahead of Aussies considering the net run rate but Australia were yet to play one match. Finally Australia picked up victory against India which took them to 8 points and they are through to the semifinals and England are eliminated from the Champions Trophy.
In Group B,SriLanka retained their top position by winning all 3 matches with a comprehensive Net Run Rate while Pakistan came from nowhere and managed to win twice and placing themselves at the 2nd position . SriLanka and Pakistan have qualified for the semifinals as SriLanka the 1st semifinalist and Pakistan the 2nd semifinalist of Group B. South Africa were unlucky having missed out after a good start to the series while NewZealand are having a poor run and were totally disappointing in this tournament.
From Group A , India and Australia enter the semifinals and from Group B, SriLanka and Pakistan enter the semifinals. So the semifinal fixtures are as follows:
1. India v Pakistan, Chandigarh
2. SriLanka v Australia, Jaipur
Note: Semi-Finals will be autoplayed but Finals will be played.
David Gower:Hello and welcome to a special edition of The Third Man's Chat . Well wethe interesting thing was about Group A as we were waiting for which teams will enter the semifinals till the last match of the group . Finally Australia beat India and they entered the semifinals along with host India. It was quite disappointing for England as they were out of the Champions Trophy but England showed some good fighting spirit and their captain was leading from the front in each and every match.
Now lets have a short interview with the England captain Andrew Flintoff.
Good Evening Freddie welcome to The Third Man's Chat .
A.Flintoff :Good Evening David.
David Gower:Well Freddie its quite disappointing end for England in the Champions Trophy your team performed well and also won the important match against the Aussies that too comfortably.
A.Flintoff :Yeah the boys performed well in all the matches we played in the Champions Trophy . The weather here in India is too hot and i really appreciate the boys as they gave their 100% in each and every match we played in this tournament but in Champions Trophy its basically knockout as only two teams will go to the semis from each round but its a bit sad as we are out of the tournament as we played well and fought hard in each and every match.
David Gower:Well it was a really tough time for England as they got to tight matches against India and WestIndies which went either way but the beat the Aussies comfortably.
A.Flintoff :Yeah the India and WestIndies are good sides and playing against India on their home soil is difficult. Sachin Tendulkar batted well and he is a real master with the bat and in the end Dhoni and Kaif got the partnership which won the match for them . We enjoyed that match really and agaisnt the WestIndies it was really nail-bitter . We batted well and Strauss got a brilliant century and we thought that he had the command on the match but Gayle and Lara played wonderfully and got West Indies in a winning position but we had a chance to win in the last over as they needed 4 runs in 6 balls and it was really a tense momemt finally WestIndies won the match but credit goes for both the teams for playing such wonderful cricket.
David Gower:Well now as the Champions Trophy is over for England and now what are your plans with the big one coming ahead The Ashes?
A.Flintoff :Yeah we all are waiting for The Ashes to start and it will be a real intense battle as playing against Australia in Australia is too hard but we have high spirit and we are high in confidence too as we beat Australia in the Champions Trophy as well and we got the urn back last year and now we will surely play well and try to win the Ashes this year also to keep the Urn .
David Gower:What are you expecting from the players for the Ashes and who are the main players you are looking forward too.
A.Flintoff :Ashes is a big one for each and every player of our team so surely they will be giving more than 100 % and will never give up . The boys are in good form as we saw that Kevin got centuries under his belt, Strauss and Collingwood also in good form and Monty is really having good time out their as he was new to ODI's and he bowled wonderfully and won the match agaisnt the Aussies even I have got good form with bat and ball.I hope we all continue this in the Ashes as well and it will be a good series and really will be an intense battle.
David Gower:And are you going with the same team which was in Champions Trophy ?
A.Flintoff :There will be some change the selectors will surely take in few youngsters and also the experince will also come in the picture . A.Giles is fit i think he may come in the squad and we have missed few players from last Ashes due to injury so Simon Jones wont be there but we are still not sure about M.Vaughan but he is recovering quickly hope he see him in the squad for the Ashes.
David Gower:Finally Freddie few words for our cricketing fans.
A.Flintoff :Its bit disappointing that we missed out in the Champions Trophy but its still not over we will give our best in the Ashes. Enjoy every moment of cricket and finally all the best for the reamaining teams of the Champions Trophy.
David Gower:Thanks for the wonderful interview Freddie. So for all out cricketing fans hope you all enjoyed this special edition of The Third Man's Chat we will leave you with a very special animation .
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