THE weather gods seem to be smiling on England in this year’s Champions Trophy but history tells us it would foolish to start expecting too much, especially with the final at the Oval – the scene of our most dispiriting reverse.
It was in the 2004 Champions Trophy that we seemed certain to win our first global ODI title.
We faced an unfancied West Indies side – how often have we been thrillingly undone by their ability to raise their game? – and seemed to be cruising to victory despite only defending a total of 217.
When the visitors’ eighth wicket fell on 147,...