2004 ICC Champions Trophy

The 2004 ICC Champions Trophy was the fifth edition of the International Cricket Council's limited-overs cricket tournament for full and associate member nations, hosted in England from 10 to 25 September 2004.^[1] It featured twelve teams divided into four pools of three—the ten Test-playing full members (Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies, and Zimbabwe) plus associates Kenya and the United States—with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the semifinals, culminating in a final on 25 September.^[1] The West Indies won the tournament, their sole Champions Trophy title, by defeating hosts England by two wickets in a tense final at The Oval in London—recovering from 147/8 via a ninth-wicket partnership between Courtney Browne and Ian Bradshaw.^[2] The event was played across three venues: Edgbaston in Birmingham, The Rose Bowl in Southampton, and The Oval in London, with all matches following the 50-over One Day International format.^[3] A total of 15 matches were contested, but the tournament faced significant challenges from autumn weather, including heavy rain and dew, which caused delays, reductions in overs, and frequent use of the Duckworth-Lewis method.^[4] Organizational issues, including poor promotion, low attendance, and logistical failures like inadequate transport at The Rose Bowl, further marred the event, leading to criticism of the ICC and hosts England and Wales Cricket Board.^[4] Key highlights included West Indies' dominant semifinal win over Pakistan by seven wickets, powered by Ramnaresh Sarwan's unbeaten 56, and England's upset semifinal triumph against title favorites Australia.^[5][6] In the final, England were bowled out for 217, but West Indies chased it down with Shivnarine Chanderpaul's 47 and Ian Bradshaw's unbeaten 34 anchoring the innings, while Bradshaw took 2/54 to earn Player of the Match honors; Sarwan was named Player of the Series for his 166 runs at an average of 83.00.^[2] England's Marcus Trescothick led the run-scoring with 261 runs at an average of 65.25, including a century, while Andrew Flintoff claimed nine wickets at 14.00 to top the bowling charts.^[7] The tournament's expansion to 12 teams marked a shift toward greater inclusivity, though it was criticized for its timing and execution.^[4]

Background

Overview

The 2004 ICC Champions Trophy, the fourth edition of the International Cricket Council's premier limited-overs tournament for top teams, was hosted in England from 10 to 25 September 2004 across three venues: Edgbaston in Birmingham, the Rose Bowl in Southampton, and The Oval in London.^[1] The event featured an expanded field of 12 teams—the ten full ICC members with Test status, along with Kenya and the United States—continuing the 12-team pool format first introduced in 2002 following the 11-team 2000 edition and the 8-team 1998 edition. A total of 15 matches were played over 16 days, though the tournament faced significant rain interruptions, including the complete washout of the opening day's play and disruptions to several group-stage fixtures.^[4][8] The United States made their One Day International debut in the tournament, facing New Zealand on 10 September at The Oval in a match that highlighted the inclusion of emerging associate nations.^[9] Teams were divided into four pools of three, with the top side from each advancing to the semifinals before the final.^[3] West Indies clinched the title by defeating host nation England by two wickets in a tense final at The Oval on 25 September, chasing down 218 with seven balls remaining to secure their first ICC Champions Trophy and their first major ICC limited-overs trophy since the 1979 Cricket World Cup.^[2] West Indies' Ramnaresh Sarwan was awarded Player of the Series for his 166 runs across the tournament, including an unbeaten 56 in the semifinal against Pakistan.^[7]

Qualification

The 2004 ICC Champions Trophy featured twelve teams, with qualification determined primarily by ICC full membership status and recent performances in international cricket. The ten ICC full member nations—Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies, and Zimbabwe—qualified automatically as Test-playing countries, reflecting their established standing in the sport.^[1] Kenya secured its place as the sole associate member with full One Day International (ODI) status at the time, earned through strong performances in the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup, where it reached the semi-finals and demonstrated competitive prowess against full members. The United States qualified for its debut appearance by winning the ICC Six Nations Challenge, a qualifying tournament held in the United Arab Emirates in March 2004 involving associate nations including Canada, Netherlands, Namibia, Scotland, and UAE; the USA clinched the final spot in a dramatic conclusion, defeating Scotland while relying on results from other matches to surpass rivals on net run rate.^[10][11] Unlike later editions, there was no dedicated global qualifying pathway beyond the Six Nations event for the additional associate slot; selection leaned heavily on the outcomes of the 2003 World Cup for associates like Kenya, emphasizing recent competitive results over a new tournament structure. Zimbabwe's inclusion as a full member was mired in controversy amid the country's broader political instability under the Mugabe regime and escalating internal cricket disputes, including the April 2004 sacking of captain Heath Streak, which prompted a mass resignation of 15 senior players protesting selection biases and government interference in the Zimbabwe Cricket Union. This led to Zimbabwe fielding its youngest-ever squad, averaging just 23 years old, with the ICC temporarily suspending its Test status in June 2004 due to the crisis, though it permitted participation in the limited-overs Champions Trophy.^[12]

Format and Rules

Tournament Structure

The 2004 ICC Champions Trophy featured 12 teams divided into four pools—A, B, C, and D—each containing three teams that competed in a round-robin format, with every team playing two matches within its pool.^[13] The winner of each pool advanced directly to the semifinals, resulting in four teams progressing without any additional plate or consolation competitions.^[3] The semifinals pitted the pool winners against each other in cross-pool matchups: the Pool A winner faced the Pool D winner, while the Pool B winner played the Pool C winner, with both semifinals scheduled for 21 and 22 September 2004.^[3] The final was set for 25 September 2004 at The Oval in London, contested by the two semifinal victors.^[14] To mitigate weather disruptions, reserve days were allocated for all matches, including the final, ensuring completion without reliance on revised target methods like Duckworth-Lewis on the primary scheduled day.^[15] All encounters in the tournament were 50-over One Day Internationals (ODIs), adhering to standard limited-overs rules for the era.^[1] Points from pool matches determined standings, with wins awarding two points and ties or no-results granting one point each, though full scoring details governed progression.^[13]

Points System

In the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy, teams were awarded 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie or no result, and 0 points for a loss.^[16][17] No bonus points were awarded, simplifying the scoring compared to some other ICC tournaments of the era.^[16] To determine pool positions in case of tied points, net run rate (NRR)—calculated as the difference between runs scored per over and runs conceded per over, adjusted for rain-affected matches—served as the primary tiebreaker.^[18][19] If NRR was equal, further tiebreakers included the number of wickets taken per ball bowled in pool matches, followed by the higher ICC ODI ranking at the tournament's start if necessary; head-to-head results were inherently reflected in points or NRR within the small pool structure.^[19] Rain interruptions were common due to poor weather in England, with the Duckworth-Lewis method used to recalculate targets and par scores for the team batting second in affected matches.^[20][21] If a match could not start or be completed at all, it was deemed a no result, granting 1 point to each participating team.^[16] For instance, although no pool ties occurred, the system ensured advancement based on NRR, such as if two teams had identical points after their two pool games, the superior NRR would decide progression to the semi-finals.^[19]

Prize Money

The 2004 ICC Champions Trophy featured a total prize pool of US$1.15 million, marking it as the second-highest valued event after the 2003 Cricket World Cup.^[22][23] The winners, West Indies, were awarded US$400,000, an increase of US$100,000 from the 2002 edition.^[24] This amount represented the primary financial incentive for the champion team, with additional match fees provided by the ICC for victories throughout the tournament, including US$50,000 per win in group stages and knockouts.^[25] The event's funding was bolstered by the ICC's long-term commercial partnership with the Global Cricket Corporation, involving global sponsors such as LG Electronics, Pepsi, Hutchison, and Hero Honda.^[22] Revenue from broadcasting rights further supported the ICC's overall tournament operations and prize distribution.^[22]

Teams and Personnel

Participating Teams

The 2004 ICC Champions Trophy featured 12 teams, comprising the ten full member nations of the International Cricket Council (ICC) along with two associate members, Kenya and the United States, marking the latter's debut in a major ICC limited-overs tournament as underdogs.^[1] These teams were divided into four pools of three each to facilitate the group stage, with the top team from each pool advancing to the semi-finals.^[13] Pool A consisted of Australia, captained by Ricky Ponting; New Zealand, led by Stephen Fleming; and the United States, under Richard Staple.^[1] Pool B included West Indies, with Brian Lara as captain; South Africa, headed by Graeme Smith; and Bangladesh, captained by Rajin Saleh.^[1] Pool C featured Pakistan, led by Inzamam-ul-Haq; India, under Sourav Ganguly; and Kenya, captained by Steve Tikolo, highlighting the intense India-Pakistan rivalry in the group.^[1] Pool D comprised England, captained by Michael Vaughan; Sri Lanka, led by Marvan Atapattu; and Zimbabwe, with Tatenda Taibu as captain.^[1]

Squads

The squads for the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy consisted of 14 players per team, selected by national boards ahead of the tournament in England. These line-ups reflected strategic choices for the limited-overs format, with a mix of experienced players and emerging talents, though some teams faced disruptions from internal issues. Some teams made mid-tournament replacements due to injuries.^[26] Zimbabwe's squad was notably impacted by a player strike in April 2004, where 15 senior players, including Heath Streak, boycotted selections over disputes with the Zimbabwe Cricket Union regarding administration and player welfare; this led to a younger, less experienced group being named.^[27]

Australia

• Ricky Ponting (c)
• Adam Gilchrist (wk)
• Matthew Hayden
• Darren Lehmann
• Andrew Symonds
• Damien Martyn
• Michael Clarke
• Michael Kasprowicz
• Brett Lee
• Jason Gillespie
• Glenn McGrath
• Shane Watson
• Brad Hogg
• Ian Harvey

The Australian squad emphasized pace bowling and all-round depth, with no inclusion of leg-spinner Shane Warne, who had recently returned from a prior suspension but was not selected.^[26]

England

• Michael Vaughan (c)
• Marcus Trescothick
• Vikram Solanki
• Andrew Strauss
• Andrew Flintoff
• Paul Collingwood
• Geraint Jones (wk)
• Ashley Giles
• Alex Wharf
• Darren Gough
• Steve Harmison
• James Anderson
• Anthony McGrath
• Kabir Ali

England's selection focused on a balanced attack, blending seamers with spin options.^[26]

West Indies

• Brian Lara (c)
• Chris Gayle
• Wavell Hinds
• Ramnaresh Sarwan
• Shivnarine Chanderpaul
• Dwayne Bravo
• Ryan Hinds
• Ricardo Powell
• Courtney Browne (wk)
• Ian Bradshaw
• Corey Collymore
• Sylvester Joseph
• Malcolm Dillon
• Darren Sammy

The West Indies relied on Lara's experience and a mix of all-rounders for flexibility.^[26]

India

• Sourav Ganguly (c)
• Virender Sehwag
• VVS Laxman
• Yuvraj Singh
• Mohammad Kaif
• Rahul Dravid (wk)
• Dinesh Karthik
• Harbhajan Singh
• Irfan Pathan
• Ashish Nehra
• Ajit Agarkar
• Rohan Gavaskar
• Lakshmipathy Balaji
• Venugopal Rao

India's squad highlighted aggressive batting and spin bowling prowess.^[26]

Pakistan

• Inzamam-ul-Haq (c)
• Yasir Hameed
• Imran Farhat
• Shoaib Malik
• Shahid Afridi
• Abdul Razzaq
• Mohammad Yousuf
• Moin Khan (wk)
• Naved-ul-Hasan
• Mohammad Sami
• Shoaib Akhtar
• Salman Butt
• Younis Khan
• Danish Kaneria
• Kamran Akmal (wk)

Pakistan's line-up featured explosive pace and dynamic middle-order batting.^[26]

New Zealand

• Stephen Fleming (c)
• Nathan Astle
• Hamish Marshall
• Scott Styris
• Chris Cairns
• Craig McMillan
• Jacob Oram
• Brendon McCullum (wk)
• Chris Harris
• Daniel Vettori
• Daryl Tuffey
• Kyle Mills
• Ian Butler
• Lou Vincent

New Zealand balanced their squad with all-round utility and seam variation.^[26]

South Africa

• Graeme Smith (c)
• Herschelle Gibbs
• Jacques Kallis
• Jacques Rudolph
• Martin van Jaarsveld
• Mark Boucher (wk)
• Shaun Pollock
• Lance Klusener
• Nicky Boje
• Charl Langeveldt
• Makhaya Ntini
• Andrew Hall
• Robin Peterson
• AB de Villiers

South Africa's selection prioritized batting stability and experienced seamers.^[26]

Sri Lanka

• Marvan Atapattu (c)
• Dammika Gunawardene
• Sanath Jayasuriya
• Mahela Jayawardene
• Kumar Sangakkara (wk)
• Tillakaratne Dilshan
• Russel Arnold
• Upul Chandana
• Chaminda Vaas
• Farveez Maharoof
• Nuwan Zoysa
• Muttiah Muralitharan
• Romesh Kaluwitharana
• Jehan Mubarak

Sri Lanka's squad showcased strong spin options and top-order aggression.^[26]

Bangladesh

• Rajin Saleh (c)
• Javed Omar
• Mohammad Ashraful
• Nafees Iqbal
• Aftab Ahmed
• Khaled Mashud (wk)
• Manjural Islam
• Mushfiqur Rahman
• Mohammad Rafique
• Tapash Baisya
• Nazmul Hossain
• Shahriar Nafees
• Abdur Razzak
• Khaled Mahmud

Bangladesh fielded a developing unit with focus on spin bowling.^[26]

Kenya

• Steve Tikolo (c)
• Kennedy Otieno (wk)
• Ravindu Shah
• Hitesh Modi
• Thomas Odoyo
• Rajabali Ali
• Maurice Ouma
• Brijesh Patel
• Martin Suji
• Peter Ongondo
• Amon Suji
• Jimmy Kamande
• Rajesh Bhaloo
• Steve Onyango

Kenya's squad drew on their recent World Cup experience with all-round capabilities.^[26]

Zimbabwe

• Tatenda Taibu (c & wk)
• Stuart Matsikenyeri
• Brendan Taylor
• Vusi Sibanda
• Dion Ebrahim
• Mark Vermeulen
• Elton Chigumbura
• Tinashe Panyangara
• Prosper Utseya
• Douglas Hondo
• Edward Rainsford
• Hamilton Masakadza
• Trevor Gumbo
• Keegan Meth

The inexperienced Zimbabwe side was assembled post-strike, featuring promising youngsters.^[26][27]

United States

• Richard Staple (c)
• Nasir Javed
• Charles Reid
• Zamin Amin
• Howard Johnson
• Aijaz Ali
• Mark Johnson (wk)
• Leon Romero
• Naseer Islam
• Rohan Alexander
• Rashid Zia
• Steve Massiah
• Clayton Lambert
• Imran Awan

The USA team, qualifying via a regional tournament, included a blend of local and overseas talent.^[26][28]

Match Officials

The 2004 ICC Champions Trophy enforced a neutral umpires policy, ensuring that no on-field umpire was from a participating nation in any match, with selections drawn from the ICC's Emirates Elite Panel of Umpires and the International Panel.^[29] This approach aimed to maintain impartiality across the 15 matches held in England from September 10 to 25. The tournament also introduced technology enhancements, including umpires connected to stump microphones for real-time audible assistance in seven matches and third umpires using two-way earpieces to adjudicate no-balls, marking an early step in integrating broadcast technology into decision-making.^[29] TV replays for run-outs and stumpings were employed by third umpires in key matches, consistent with ICC protocols but with increased reliance during high-stakes games.^[30] Match referees were appointed from the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Referees: Chris Broad (England), Clive Lloyd (West Indies), Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka), and Mike Procter (South Africa), who rotated duties for the group stage and knockouts.^[29] Specific assignments included Madugalle for the India-Pakistan group match and the final, Procter for the first semi-final, and Lloyd for several group games.^[29][31][32] The on-field umpires primarily came from the Elite Panel—Steve Bucknor (West Indies), Asad Raza (Pakistan), Darrell Hair (Australia), Daryl Harper (Australia), Rudi Koertzen (South Africa), David Shepherd (England), Simon Taufel (Australia), and Billy Bowden (New Zealand)—supplemented by International Panel members Billy Doctrove (West Indies) and Jeremy Lloyds (England).^[29] These officials rotated across matches to ensure neutrality and workload balance. Third umpires, also from the panels, handled referrals for dismissals and no-balls. For the semi-finals, notable appointments included Rudi Koertzen and Billy Bowden (with Aleem Dar as third umpire) for Australia v England, refereed by Mike Procter; and Simon Taufel and Darrell Hair (with David Shepherd as third umpire) for Pakistan v West Indies, refereed by Clive Lloyd.^[31] The final between England and West Indies featured Rudi Koertzen and Simon Taufel as on-field umpires, Darrell Hair as TV umpire, and Ranjan Madugalle as match referee.^[33][32]

Venues

The 2004 ICC Champions Trophy was hosted across three venues in England, with each staging five matches.^[22] Capacities reflect the configurations used during the tournament, including temporary seating where applicable.

Competition

Pool Stage

The pool stage of the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy featured four groups of three teams each, with each team playing a round-robin format of two matches per team, resulting in three matches per pool and a total of 12 pool games across the tournament.^[1] The pools were structured as follows: Pool A (Australia, New Zealand, United States); Pool B (Bangladesh, South Africa, West Indies); Pool C (India, Kenya, Pakistan); and Pool D (England, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe).^[13] The top team from each pool advanced to the semi-finals, with points awarded as two for a win and none for a loss or no-result, and net run rate used as a tiebreaker.^[13] Rain significantly impacted the schedule, affecting at least four matches with delays, reductions in overs, or full-day postponements, though all were completed without any outright no-results due to reserve days and the Duckworth-Lewis method where applicable.^[34] For instance, the Pakistan vs. Kenya match in Pool C was postponed after heavy overnight rain, while England vs. Sri Lanka in Pool D was reduced to 32 overs in the first innings due to interruptions. Similarly, the opening Pool A clash between New Zealand and the United States, and England vs. Zimbabwe in Pool D, faced start delays from wet conditions. These disruptions contributed to a compressed fixture list but ensured all pool outcomes were decided. Notable upsets marked the stage, highlighting the competitiveness among the 12 participating teams. In Pool B, West Indies pulled off a surprise five-wicket victory over favored South Africa, chasing 247 in a rain-affected decider to secure their advancement with a composed chase led by Ramnaresh Sarwan's 75.^[35] In Pool D, England defeated Sri Lanka by 49 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis method after posting 251 for 7, a result that boosted the hosts' campaign despite the weather interruptions.^[36] Pool C produced high-scoring encounters, exemplified by the tense India vs. Pakistan match where Pakistan chased 201 with three wickets and four balls to spare, underscoring the rivalry's intensity.^[37] The advancers were Australia from Pool A (after wins over New Zealand and the United States), West Indies from Pool B, Pakistan from Pool C, and England from Pool D, setting up semi-final matchups of Australia vs. England and Pakistan vs. West Indies.^[13] Overall, the stage showcased a mix of dominant performances by top seeds and unexpected results that added drama, with the points system effectively separating the qualifiers amid variable conditions.^[1]

Pool A

Pool A consisted of Australia, New Zealand, and the United States of America.^[13] The pool stage began on 10 September 2004 at the Kennington Oval in London, where New Zealand faced the United States. New Zealand batted first and amassed 347 for 4 in 50 overs, powered by Nathan Astle's unbeaten 145 from 151 balls and Scott Styris's 75 from 78 deliveries. In reply, the United States were dismissed for 137 in 42.4 overs, with Clayton Lambert top-scoring on 39; Jacob Oram claimed 5 for 36 and Daniel Vettori 3 for 14 for New Zealand, securing a comprehensive 210-run victory.^[9] On 13 September at The Rose Bowl in Southampton, Australia dominated the United States in a one-sided affair. The United States were bowled out for just 65 in 24 overs, with Rohan Alexander making the highest score of 23. Australia's bowlers shone, led by Michael Kasprowicz's 4 for 14; Jason Gillespie took 4 for 6 and Andy Bichel 3 for 5. Australia chased the target in only 7.5 overs, losing 1 wicket, as Adam Gilchrist finished unbeaten on 24, winning by 9 wickets with 253 balls to spare—this marked the lowest total in the tournament.^[38] The final Pool A encounter took place on 16 September back at the Kennington Oval between New Zealand and Australia. New Zealand scored 198 for 9 in 50 overs, with Brendon McCullum contributing 47 and Daniel Vettori 29 not out. Australia chased the total in 37.2 overs for the loss of 3 wickets, driven by Andrew Symonds's unbeaten 71 off 47 balls and Damien Martyn's 60 not out off 71; Michael Kasprowicz and Glenn McGrath each took 3 wickets for 32 and 39 respectively, handing Australia a 7-wicket win and the Player of the Match award to Symonds.^[39] Australia topped Pool A on points and net run rate, advancing to the semi-finals as the sole qualifier from the group.^[13]

Pool B

Pool B consisted of Bangladesh, South Africa, and West Indies.^[13] The opening match of Pool B took place on 12 September 2004 at Edgbaston in Birmingham, where Bangladesh faced South Africa. Bangladesh were bowled out for 93 in 31.3 overs, with Nafees Iqbal top-scoring on 40. South Africa's bowlers dominated, with Charl Langeveldt taking 3/17, Nicky Boje 3/23, and Makhaya Ntini 3/19. South Africa chased 94 in 17.5 overs for the loss of 1 wicket, with Graeme Smith 42* and Jacques Kallis 40*, winning by 9 wickets with 193 balls remaining. Langeveldt was named Player of the Match.^[40] On 15 September at The Rose Bowl in Southampton, West Indies batted first against Bangladesh after Bangladesh elected to field. West Indies scored 269/3 in 50 overs, led by Chris Gayle's 99 off 132 balls and Wavell Hinds' 82 off 119 balls. Bangladesh were dismissed for 131 in 39.3 overs, with Mohammad Rafique 34* top-scoring. Malcolm Dillon took 5/29 for West Indies, securing a 138-run victory. Gayle earned Player of the Match honors.^[41] The decisive Pool B match was between South Africa and West Indies on 18–19 September at the Kennington Oval in London, delayed by rain. South Africa posted 246/6 in 50 overs, powered by Herschelle Gibbs' 101 off 135 balls and Graeme Smith's 45. West Indies chased 247, reaching 249/5 in 48.5 overs, with Ramnaresh Sarwan scoring 75 off 99 balls and Shivnarine Chanderpaul 51* off 52 balls, winning by 5 wickets with 7 balls to spare. Sarwan was Player of the Match. This result saw West Indies top Pool B with 4 points, advancing to the semi-finals, while South Africa had 2 points and Bangladesh 0.^[35][13]

Pool C

Pool C consisted of India, Kenya, and Pakistan, setting the stage for a fiercely contested group featuring the storied subcontinental rivalry between the two Asian powerhouses. The matches unfolded over several days in September 2004, with weather interruptions affecting one game and culminating in a thrilling showdown that underscored the intense competition between India and Pakistan.^[1] The opening match of the pool took place on 11 September at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, where India elected to bat first and compiled 290/4 in 50 overs, driven by Sourav Ganguly's 90 off 124 balls and VVS Laxman's 79 off 99 balls, with Rahul Dravid 49* off 29 and Yuvraj Singh 30* off 16. Kenya managed 192/7 in 50 overs, with Morris Ouma 49 and Tony Suji 40*, resulting in a 98-run victory for India. Sourav Ganguly was Player of the Match. This win gave India an early edge in the group standings.^[42] Pakistan entered the fray against Kenya on 14 September at Edgbaston in Birmingham, but heavy rain delayed proceedings until the following day. Kenya, batting first, collapsed to 94 all out in 32 overs, with Kennedy Otieno top-scoring on 33. Shahid Afridi claimed 5/11 and Shoaib Malik 3/15 for Pakistan. Pakistan cruised to 95/3 in 18.4 overs, led by Yasir Hameed's 41 and Imran Farhat's 38*, securing a 7-wicket victory with 188 balls remaining. Afridi was Player of the Match. The match highlighted Pakistan's bowling dominance in conditions favoring swing.^[43] The decisive encounter was the India-Pakistan clash on 19 September, also at Edgbaston, which lived up to the billing as a high-stakes rivalry fixture. India posted 200 all out in 49.5 overs after winning the toss and batting, with Rahul Dravid top-scoring on 67 off 108 balls and Ajit Agarkar 47 off 50. Pakistan's bowlers struck, with Shoaib Akhtar taking 4/36 and Naved-ul-Hasan 4/25. In response, Pakistan reached 201/7 in 49.2 overs, guided by Mohammad Yousuf's unbeaten 81 off 114 balls and Inzamam-ul-Haq's 41 off 79 balls, clinching a 3-wicket win with 4 balls to spare and eliminating India. Yousuf was named Man of the Match. This victory propelled Pakistan to the top of Pool C with 4 points, while India finished with 2 points and Kenya with 0; only the pool winner advanced to the semi-finals.^[37][13]

Pool D

Pool D consisted of England, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe, with the teams playing a round-robin format where each side faced the other two once. The group was marked by England's dominant performances, securing their place in the semi-finals, while Sri Lanka managed a single victory, and Zimbabwe struggled throughout.^[18] The opening match of Pool D took place on 10 September 2004 at Edgbaston, Birmingham, between England and Zimbabwe. England posted 299/7 in their 50 overs, led by Paul Collingwood's unbeaten 80 and contributions from Vikram Solanki (51) and Andrew Strauss (45). Zimbabwe were bowled out for 147 in 39 overs, with Elton Chigumbura top-scoring on 42 not out; Andrew Flintoff claimed 3/32 to earn player of the match honors. England won by 152 runs.^[44] On 14 September 2004 at The Oval, London, Zimbabwe faced Sri Lanka. Zimbabwe batted first and scored 191 all out in 49.1 overs, with Tatenda Taibu making 66 and Makhaya Ntini taking 3/33 for Sri Lanka. In reply, Sri Lanka reached 195/6 in 43.5 overs, guided by Sanath Jayasuriya's 67 and Kumar Sangakkara's 50; they won by 4 wickets with 37 balls remaining.^[45] The final Pool D encounter was between England and Sri Lanka on 17 September 2004 at the Rose Bowl, Southampton, interrupted by rain. England scored 251/7 in 50 overs, with Michael Vaughan (58) and Andrew Flintoff (51) providing key innings. Rain reduced Sri Lanka's target to 145 in 24 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis method; they managed 95/5, falling short by 49 runs. Flintoff again starred with 3/43.^[46] England topped the pool and advanced to the semi-finals against Australia, while Zimbabwe's heavy defeats highlighted their ongoing challenges as a full member side.^[18]

Semi-finals

The semi-finals of the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy were contested on consecutive days at different venues in England, with the winners advancing to the final. As the top two teams from the pool stage, Australia and England faced off in the first semi-final, while Pakistan and West Indies met in the second.^[3]

1st Semi-Final: Australia vs England

The first semi-final took place on 21 September 2004 at Edgbaston, Birmingham. Australia batted first after England won the toss and elected to field. Australia posted 259/9 in their 50 overs, with Damien Martyn top-scoring with 65 runs off 91 balls, supported by Michael Clarke's 42. England's bowlers were led by Darren Gough, who claimed 3/48 in seven overs, while Michael Vaughan contributed 2/42.^[6] In reply, England chased down the target of 260 in 46.3 overs, finishing at 262/4 to win by six wickets with 21 balls remaining. Michael Vaughan anchored the innings with an unbeaten 86 off 122 balls on his birthday, earning him the player-of-the-match award, while Marcus Trescothick scored 81 off 88 balls and Andrew Strauss added an unbeaten 52. Australia's bowling was spearheaded by Brett Lee with 2/65. This victory marked a significant upset against the defending champions and propelled England into their first major final since 1992.^[6]

2nd Semi-Final: Pakistan vs West Indies

The second semi-final was held on 22 September 2004 at The Rose Bowl, Southampton. West Indies won the toss and chose to field against Pakistan. Pakistan struggled on a seaming pitch, collapsing to 131 all out in 38.2 overs, with Yasir Hameed the highest scorer on 39 off 56 balls and Shoaib Malik adding 21. West Indies' bowlers shone, with Dwayne Bravo taking 2/41 and Wavell Hinds claiming 2/27.^[5] West Indies made light work of the chase, reaching 132/3 in just 28.1 overs to secure a seven-wicket victory with 131 balls to spare. Ramnaresh Sarwan remained not out on 56 off 85 balls to earn player-of-the-match honors, while Brian Lara scored 31 before retiring hurt after being struck on the head by a bouncer from Shoaib Akhtar. Pakistan's best bowling effort came from Akhtar with 2/18. A key moment was Pakistan's batting collapse, losing their last six wickets for just 37 runs, which highlighted West Indies' effective pace attack.^[5] England and West Indies thus qualified for the final, setting up an unlikely matchup between the host nation and the Caribbean side.^[3]

Final

The final of the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy was contested between England and West Indies at The Oval in London on 25 September 2004. West Indies won the toss and elected to field first, setting the stage for a tense day-night encounter under overcast conditions.^[2] England's innings began steadily but faced early setbacks, with Vikram Solanki dismissed for 4 and Michael Vaughan for 7, leaving them at 37/2. Marcus Trescothick anchored the batting with a resolute century, scoring 104 off 124 balls including 14 fours, which formed the backbone of England's total of 217 all out in 49.4 overs. Support came from lower-order contributions, notably Ashley Giles' 31 off 37 balls, but West Indies' bowlers, led by Wavell Hinds with 3/24 and Ian Bradshaw with 2/54, restricted the scoring in the middle overs. Key dismissals included run-outs and catches, preventing England from accelerating beyond a defendable total.^[2][47] In reply, West Indies suffered an early collapse, losing Chris Gayle for 3 and Wavell Hinds for 23 to reach 37/2, mirroring England's start. Shivnarine Chanderpaul provided stability with 47, but further wickets tumbled, including Brian Lara for 8 and Ramnaresh Sarwan for 20, leaving West Indies having slumped to 147/8 chasing 218 in the 34th over after a mix of sharp fielding and bowling from Andrew Flintoff (3/38) and Paul Collingwood (2/22). The match turned dramatically through an unbroken ninth-wicket partnership of 71 between Courtney Browne (28* off 43 balls) and Ian Bradshaw (34* off 51 balls, with 5 fours), who batted with composure in fading light to guide West Indies to 218/8 in 48.5 overs, securing a thrilling two-wicket victory with seven balls remaining. Bradshaw hit the winning runs, clinching West Indies' first Champions Trophy title and their maiden major ICC tournament win since 1979.^[2][47][48] Ian Bradshaw was named Player of the Match for his all-round performance of 2/54 and 34*, embodying the resilience that defined West Indies' comeback after advancing past Pakistan in the semifinals. The victory highlighted West Indies' depth in the lower order during a low point in their cricketing history.^[2][47]

Statistics and Records

Individual Statistics

The leading run-scorer in the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy was England's Marcus Trescothick, who scored 261 runs across four innings at an average of 65.25.^[49] West Indies' Ramnaresh Sarwan finished second with 166 runs in four innings at an average of 83.00, including one half-century.^[49] New Zealand's Nathan Astle was third with 163 runs in two innings at an average of 163.00, highlighted by an unbeaten 145 against the United States.^[49] The top wicket-taker was England's Andrew Flintoff, claiming 9 wickets in four innings at an average of 14.00, with best figures of 3/33.^[7] Teammate Steve Harmison took 8 wickets in four innings at 17.12, including a match-winning 4/39 against Australia in the semi-final.^[7] Australia's Michael Kasprowicz secured 7 wickets in three innings at 14.00.^[7] The highest partnership of the tournament was 192 runs for the first wicket between Chris Gayle (99) and Wavell Hinds (82) for West Indies against Bangladesh at Southampton.^[50] In the field, the most catches by a non-keeper were 3, achieved by multiple players including Australia's Michael Clarke and Jason Gillespie, as well as Pakistan's Naved-ul-Hasan.

Team and Match Records

The 2004 ICC Champions Trophy featured notable team performances and match records, particularly in batting totals and overall tournament resilience amid weather challenges. England set the highest team total of the tournament with 299/7 in 50 overs against Zimbabwe in their Pool D opener at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on 10-11 September 2004, powered by contributions from Vikram Solanki (62) and Andrew Flintoff (104).^[51] India recorded the second-highest score of 290/4 in 50 overs against Kenya at The Rose Bowl, Southampton, on 11 September 2004, led by Rahul Dravid's unbeaten 72 and Mohammad Kaif's 81.^[42] These totals highlighted the competitive batting depth among full-member teams in the pool stage. At the lower end, the United States suffered the lowest team total, collapsing to 65 all out in 24 overs against Australia at The Rose Bowl, Southampton, on 13 September 2004, in their second match of the tournament; Australia chased it down in just 7.5 overs for a nine-wicket victory.^[38] Other low scores included Kenya's 94 all out against Pakistan at Edgbaston on 14-15 September 2004 and Bangladesh's 93 against South Africa at The Oval on 18 September 2004, underscoring the struggles of associate and lower-ranked teams against stronger bowling attacks. West Indies delivered a flawless team performance, remaining undefeated across their four matches to claim the title, with victories in both pool games against Bangladesh (by nine wickets) and South Africa (by seven wickets), followed by a seven-wicket semifinal win over Pakistan and a thrilling two-wicket triumph in the final against England.^[2] They topped Pool B with two wins from two matches and the best net run rate of +1.471 among pool leaders, scoring 518 runs while conceding 377.^[13] The tournament marked the One Day International debut for the United States, who entered as an associate member after qualifying via the ICC Six Nations challenge; their first match was a 210-run loss to New Zealand at The Oval on 10 September 2004, where they scored 137 chasing 347.^[9] Rain interruptions affected several fixtures, including the opening England-Zimbabwe match, which spilled over to a reserve day, and delays in the initial pool games, though all 15 matches produced results without any outright no-results.^[51][3]