Friday, October 6 2006 16:54 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mohali (Punjab): As organisers and host venues continue to bicker over profit-sharing matters, the focus will now shift to on-field action as cricket's second most coveted title the Champions Trophy begins here tomorrow with Australia starting as the favourites.

The Australians have never managed to win this tournament, billed as a 'mini World Cup' and it remains to be seen whether the three-time world champions can break the jinx this time around.

The high-profile event, to be staged at four venues in the country, begins with a day-night qualifying match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at the PCA stadium tomorrow but the tournament will generate more excitement when the group stage matches begin from October 15.

As per the format introduced for the first time, four teams Sri lanka, West Indies, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe which were placed at the bottom of the ICC one-day rankings, would play in the qualifying matches.

The two top teams in the qualifiers then move into the tournament proper.

Although the event has generated much media hype, several unresolved oganisational issues between the organisers the International Cricket Council and the BCCI as also the staging Associations has infused an element of uncertainty and confusion.

The Punjab Cricket Association and Rajasthan Cricket Association have not yet signed the host venue agreement although it should have been done before the tournament started.