Mini World Cup that can deliver a big hit

Every ticket for India against Pakistan went within days of going on sale and Southampton's Rose Bowl anticipates testing its extended capacity of 15,000, at least for the England-Sri Lanka clash.

But even if no one turned up for any of the games the Champions Trophy would still be a financial success. Under a deal struck between the International Cricket Council and their commercial partners, each of these mini World Cups raises around £7million - through television, marketing and sponsorship contracts - to be used for the development of cricket worldwide.

That's not bad business. And it underlines why the 'small beer' money made from ticket sales can quite happily be given to the host country and the grounds that stage the games.

One look at the prize fund should be enough, as well, to come to the conclusion that here is a tournament worth anybody's time and effort to win.

Assuming the champions are victorious in all four of their games they will pick up almost £300,000 out of a total pay-out of £650,000.

So what are England's chances of cashing in at the end of their largely golden summer?

Meeting Zimbabwe first up is an unpleasant reminder of what lies just around the corner. Nothing, it seems, can prevent this November's albeit brief visit to that Mugabe ravaged African country and, sooner or later, Vaughan's squad will have to decide, individually, whether they want to go.

But as for tomorrow's match England must try to forget they are playing a Zimbabwe side now without almost all their leading white players following the rebellion that was sparked by Heath Streak's sacking as captain.

It is no good just winning, either. If England's match against Sri Lanka next week was washed out on both available days then the speed of their respective victories over Zimbabwe would determine qualification for the semi-finals.

Assuming, of course, the script has gone to plan.

That's the story in every group with two fancied sides needing to gobble up the minnow as quickly as possible before meeting each other.

Should England progress to the semi-finals, either Australia or New Zealand will be their next opponents. That's near enough the same Australia who have beaten them in 14 consecutive one-day matches and, most probably, a New Zealand outfit identical to the one that outplayed Vaughan's men earlier this summer.

But there is no point in England getting ahead of themselves just yet.

One obvious worry for this tournament is the weather, even though September is so far shaping up to be among this year's better months.

Even given plenty of sunshine, however, the mornings are likely to be damp and dewy.

Add a 10.15am start, throw a white ball into the equation and batting first could be a desperately difficult occupation. Even against Zimbabwe's virtual unknowns.