ICC Champions Trophy: Day three wrap

The points that matter

- Hashim Amla was brilliant in cruising to his 25th ODI century and Imran Tahir could not be contained with four wickets and a run out as the Proteas snared a 96-run win in their opening match.

- Sri Lanka skipper Upul Tharanga has been suspended the next two ODIs after his side took more than four hours to bowl their 50 overs.

- Expectation and excitement for India-Pakistan match reaches fever pitch, but Virat Kohli was forced to deny talk of a rift with coach Anil Kumble on match eve

Tweet of the day

Nobody loves an outfield sprint more

Pic of the day

Image Id: 4DB300A76514452AA001B861EB3CB08E Image Caption: Can you tell who it is? The hair gives it away, right? // Getty

Stat of the day

Does Hashim Amla get the credit his remarkable run-scoring feats deserve? The no-fuss Proteas opener made another entry into the record books overnight, becoming the fastest to notch 25 ODI centuries. He achieved the feat in his 151st match – 11 quicker than the previous best, which was Virat Kohli. By comparison, Sachin Tendulkar (234 innings) and Ricky Ponting (279) look pedestrian.

(Another) stat of the day

Play of the day

AB de Villiers had not one but two entries that could have claimed this category. The vertical leap and one-handed pluck was good – and the reaction from the man himself indicated he thought so too – but his diving throw and run out was simply brilliant. Having initially fumbled the ball, de Villiers chased down the loose ball, launched himself horizontal and threw down the stumps to send Dinesh Chandimal on his way for 12.

What's up next? 

It doesn't get much bigger: India v Pakistan at Edgbaston. The anticipation and hype for this clash in the subcontinent is huge. Both sides have had their issues leading into the tournament – Pakistan dealing with the distractions of a corruption inquest at home and the unceremonious dumping of Umar Akmal on fitness grounds, while India skipper Virat Kohli's relationship with coach Anil Kumble is under the microscope. 

South Africa will watch this clash with interest, as their next match is against Pakistan, also at Edgbaston, on Wednesday. While Sri Lanka stay put in the capital and will face India on Thursday back at The Oval.

Australia yesterday took the relatively short trip down the M1 motorway from Birmingham back to their London base. They face Bangladesh on Monday (7.30pm AEST) at The Oval.

Champions Trophy 2017 Guide

Squads: Every Champions Trophy nation

Schedule

1 June – England beat Bangladesh by eight wickets

2 June – New Zealand v Australia, No Result

3 June – Sri Lanka lost to South Africa by 96 runs

4 June – India v Pakistan, Edgbaston (D)

5 June – Australia v Bangladesh, The Oval (D/N)

6 June – England v New Zealand, Cardiff (D)

7 June – Pakistan v South Africa, Edgbaston (D/N)

8 June – India v Sri Lanka, The Oval (D)

9 June – New Zealand v Bangladesh, Cardiff (D)

10 June – England v Australia, Edgbaston (D)

11 June – India v South Africa, The Oval (D)

12 June – Sri Lanka v Pakistan, Cardiff (D)

14 June – First semi-final (A1 v B2), Cardiff (D)

15 June – Second semi-final (A2 v B1), Edgbaston (D)

18 June – Final, The Oval (D)

19 June – Reserve day (D)