Will this Champions Trophy turn out to one of the boring competition ever have been played? the Answer remains predictable so far. Except for couple of qualifying games which witnessed Sri Lanka passing the 250 run mark twice, since then everything has been a low scoring affair. West Indies who were unable to put up a good show, was bowled out for 86 and almost 20 overs were remaining, and England who were been haunted again by the ghosts of India was bowled out for 120 odd. If this pattern continues, this contest will end up as a boring event.
Thumbs down to the Indian curators who couldn't produce a good quality ODI batting pitch. Pitch was one of the major factors of these low scoring affairs.
In my view, ODIs should be batting oriented. Matches should see big scores with batsmen having some big hits over the ropes and then the opposition following up may match up with the score or by scoring some where closer by making game evenly poised. A characteristic of a good cricket game is where the viewer couldn't predict who will be ultimate winner of a particular match or a series. Teams should be well developed, formed and be adaptable and good quality pitches should be provided. The present arena doesn't fulfill those criteria. For example: from the match between Australia and England till the Finals of the contest, it is easily predictable who will win the match and contest. Outcome of a match should be suspense for the viewer, where everything is valued and counted at least for our tickets which we are paying for.
The characteristics was there in the game against New Zealand and South Africa, yet it still turn out be a low scoring affair. Kiwis won the match against all odds. Hope this kind of cricket matches continue in the tournament at least with some big scores.
