India might have left out seasoned campaigners Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh and Gautam Gambhir from their ICC Champions Trophy squad, but South African speedster Dale Steyn feels even without the trio, skipper Mahendera Singh Dhoni has a strong side at his disposal.
"India have got a great side. If you look at the IPl, the highest run getters, the highest wicket takers are all Indian players and all of them are in Champions Trophy. They are going to do just fine. Hopefully not too fine against us," Steyn said on Wednesday.
Sehwag, Yuvraj and Gambhir have been omitted from the 15-man Indian squad by the selectors due to indifferent form.
India and South Africa are scheduled to kick-off the eight-nation tournament on June 6 at the Sophia Gardens at Wales, in a Group B match. Apart from India and South Africa, the four-team Group B also features West Indies and Pakistan, and Steyn said it's a tough pool. "It's a good group. It's a difficult group. All the teams are doing well and they are playing some good cricket at the moment. The rankings don't matter. There are some star players in every team that can just knock you out. We have got our work cut out for us when we go there. I am looking forward to that challenge," Steyn said.
South Africa have not managed to win an ICC Trophy in years and Steyn said if they manage to win the upcoming Champions Trophy, it will be the perfect farewell gift for outgoing coach Gary Kirsten.
Clarke backs himself for Ashes
Sydney: Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke said on Wednesday he was confident his troublesome back would not prevent him from leading Australia in the two Ashes series against England this year.
Clarke has managed the back problem since he was first diagnosed with a degenerative condition aged 17, but it forced him out of the fourth Test against India in March when the tourists went down 4-0. Clarke underlined the importance of his preparations with the Champions Trophy looming next month. "I'm confident it will be no different to how it has been throughout my career," Clarke told reporters.
I didn’t recommend Woodhill: Whatmore
Karachi: Pakistan's head coach, Dav Whatmore has rejected talks about him recommending little known Australian Trent Woodhill for the post of the national team's batting coach ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy.
Whatmore told reporters before the team's departure for Ireland on Wednesday that Woodhill's appointment was a decision of the PCB. He also disclosed that he had not had any discussions with Woodhill since his appointment was made. "I sent him some emails and messages but didn't get any reply as he is in India for the Indian Premier league," Whatmore said.
Since the PCB named Woodhill as batting coach — he will join the team in England — it has come in for criticism as the Australian has played no first-class cricket and until last year his only claim to recognition was that he was associate coach of the New Zealand team.
Tanvir wants to shed T20 specialist tag
Karachi: Pakistan's left-arm pacer, Sohail Tanvir is looking at a full season with English county, Hampshire to shed the tag of being a specialist T20 player.
Tanvir, who will leave later this month to join Hampshire for a full season after getting clearance from the Pakistan Cricket Board, said he wanted to use the opportunity to show everyone he was good at any format of the game.