ICC Champions Trophy 2013 tickets on sale from today

[BallOil]

I didn't even read the article actually, I saw the heading and agreed with it immediately. I don't think any of the sub continent teams will reach anywhere in this tournament primarily due to the conditions which they are very poor in. I think Ponting is right in that Aus, SA, Eng and NZ has a shot at the title and that looks like a Semi Final four right there.

you cracking me up... sold by the title eh?

[Arnik]

I would agree with you in T20s but 50 overs are a different game. Would like to see WI in the semis but will wait and see. I still think looking at WI record as a indicator to guide us...

There is actually quite a lot of ODI cricket to be played before June.

I would love to have seen WI include one of the upcoming pacers for the ODIs in SL but......I will have to see what team they pick for Australia.

Given that the ODIs start in early June It would not surprise me if WI do NOT pick a specialist spinner and instead rely on Samuels and perhaps Deo to give them some over of spin if necessary.

I just do not see (right now) any advantage that India or Pakistan have over the WI for ODis to be played in England in June!!!

[BallOil]

I highly doubt WI will tour Australia without Narine. Gibson betting on Narine as his trump card with Sammy in the side. Sammy will not bowl his quota down under.

[Arnik]

I highly doubt WI will tour Australia without Narine. Gibson betting on Narine as his trump card with Sammy in the side. Sammy will not bowl his quota down under.

I think you misunderstand. My comments about a specialist spinner were made in relation to the tournament in England next June.

What I am saying is that if June is a typical English one then I cannot see the WI picking an XI with a specialist spinner. My comments about WI having a good chance against Pakistan and India were also made in this context because if the spinners are not going to get much from the pitches then WI have a pretty good chance against India and Pakistan.

[BallOil]

First phase of India-Pakistan tickets sold out


The first allocation of tickets to see two of cricket's biggest rivals - India and Pakistan - clash at Edgbaston in the ICC Champions Trophy sold out in just three hours after going on general sale yesterday morning.

It is the first of the 15 matches in the tournament to have sold out its initial allocation of tickets. Additional tickets for this match may be released to the public via official outlets nearer the event.

The sub-continental rivals meet at Edgbaston on Saturday 15 June 2013. Warwickshire's home ground will host five games in total, as will the other two venues - The Oval and Cardiff Wales Stadium.

Tournament director Steve Elworthy said: “The ICC Champions Trophy is one of the biggest tournaments in world cricket, and with India and Pakistan meeting in the group stage at Edgbaston, we've seen a huge demand for tickets in the first day of sales.

“Any additional tickets that become available for this fixture will be sold via http://www.icc-cricket.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, so be sure to visit this site regularly for further information.”

Fans are strongly urged not to purchase tickets through secondary resale websites. Tickets appearing on these sites have broken the terms and conditions, and action is being taken against the perpetrators.

Tickets for the remaining matches of the ICC Champions Trophy, including the final, can still be purchased at http://www.icc-cricket.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; or via the ICC Champions Trophy Ticket Hotline - 0844 249 2013.

Additionally, hospitality for the India v Pakistan fixture is still available to purchase from Keith Prowse – Edgbaston's official hospitality partner – on 08455 642469 or http://www.keithprowse.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

Colin Povey, chief executive of Edgbaston Stadium, said: “Edgbaston is delighted to play such an integral role in hosting these marquee fixtures of the ICC Champions Trophy and having sold out this match between India and Pakistan, we're sure that local cricket fans will turn their attention to the final of the tournament as well as the mouth-watering clash between England and Australia, in what will be the rivals’ first meeting of an exciting Ashes summer.

“One of the main objectives of our £32 million redevelopment of the stadium was to ensure that we can provide world class facilities and secure the biggest fixtures in international cricket in Birmingham for many years to come.

“We're very excited by this initial reaction from India and Pakistan fans, and look forward to welcoming all fans to Birmingham in 2013.”

Adult tickets for the ICC Champions Trophy range from £20 to £60, while tickets for under-16s (providing they are accompanied by an adult) are priced at £5 for the entire event.

A new pricing structure has also seen the introduction of tickets for under-21s, which can be bought for between £10 and £25.

[Arnik]

The sub-continental rivals meet at Edgbaston on Saturday 15 June 2013. Warwickshire's home ground will host five games in total, as will the other two venues - The Oval and Cardiff Wales Stadium.

The ECB like the Windies since they have given them two games at the Oval!!

[BallOil]

The sub-continental rivals meet at Edgbaston on Saturday 15 June 2013. Warwickshire's home ground will host five games in total, as will the other two venues - The Oval and Cardiff Wales Stadium.

The ECB like the Windies since they have given them two games at the Oval!!

The Oval have a big West Indian expat locally so it makes good bizniz sense.

A few years back I was in London for work with the weekend to burn. SA was playing England in an ODI match at the Oval so I went. Game on plenty noise and tickets sold out.... Disappointed on my way back to the tube station I met a tout with tickets. All excited to see the cricket, as soon as I sit down , a big fella with West Indian accent start cussing said he lost the ticket bawling louder by the minute.. I just get up and told one of the guides find me another seat to soak up the cricket.

In hindsight the facker has a big mouth with an accent like Afro. I should have taken his rass on and give him a good cut arse for being doltish to misplaced his ticket in the first place.

[Arnik]

The Oval have a big West Indian expat locally so it makes good bizniz sense.

Way way way way back in time the WI at the Oval was like a home game but is that the case today?

All dem old West Indians either dead or dem not spending hard earned cash to watch a side that getting licks. And their children not interested in cricket.

So I think the only "advantage" is the English crowd will be on the side of the West Indies and there will not be too many flag waving Indians around!! The Indians reserving all their energy for the Pakistan match at Edgbaston.