ICC Champions Trophy Final: 3 Key Battles

Key Battles

Jonathan Trott vs. Shikhar Dhawan Both men have had very successful and personally productive tournaments thus far. Dhawan, a relative newcomer, has continued his form from his debut test against Australia; where he blazed a quicker-than-a-run-a-ball 185. He is setting the tournament alight with his chanceless pinch hitting, which has seen him notch up 332 runs at an average of 110.67. His fearless approach to the two new white ball rule change, is defining the role of an opening batsmen. Jonathan Trott on the other hand could not be more the binary opposite of a cricketer than his counterpart. England's very own Mr. Reliable will never be spoke about in the same breathe as other modern day ODI greats as Chris Gayle or Sanath Jayasuria, but the volume of runs Trott accumulates rivals that of the pinnacle of one-day batsmen. Trott goes about his business under the radar; steadily building the innings for his team mates to come in at the end and cash in on all of his good work. The South African born number three is often accused of being slow but has nerdled his way to 209 runs this tournament at a strike rate of over 90. Despite the very contrasting styles, both these batsmen hold the key to how their teams will shape up after their batting displays. If Dhawan can get India off to a flyer, then they're ahead of the eight-ball; on the other hand if Trott is allowed to build England's foundations, then England will be in the dominant position.