WI grouped with S/Africa, Bangladesh

LONDON: The West Indies cricketers have been grouped with South Africa and Bangladesh for the ICC Champions Trophy in England next year.

The groupings, influenced by current world rankings, will see India facing Pakistan in a group match. The draw, placing teams in four groups of three, was made on Monday and listed Kenya alongside India and Pakistan, the Cricinfo web site reported. England, who are currently fifth in the table, have group matches against Sri Lanka (fourth) and Zimbabwe (ninth). Australia, the top-rated team, will play New Zealand and the winners of the forthcoming ICC Six Nations Challenge in the United Arab Emirates in February and March next year. The four group winners will progress to the semi-finals. The tournament will run from September 10-25, with all the matches to be played at The Oval, Edgbaston, or the new Rose Bowl in Southampton. The exact schedule will be announced later this month, but all the matches will have a reserve day to allow them to be completed in the event of bad weather.