Cardiff: England’s players will hit the jackpot if they can beat India and win the Champions Trophy on Sunday, as it is understood that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) will hand over the entire prize money to the team.
The winners of the final will receive $2 million (Dh7.34 million). The offer is being made as England have the chance to create history by winning their first ever 50-over title and officials hope the cash may act as motivation to try very hard.
Out of their 20 appearances in International Cricket Council tournaments, England have only won once, when they lifted the World Twenty20 in West Indies in 2010. England also lost World Cup finals in 1979, 1987 and 1992 and the Champions Trophy final in 2004.
Many believe it will be a huge achievement by the England team if they can snap India’s winning run in this tournament.
But India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni feels England could be tough opponents. “England are a very good side. We have played quite often in the last couple of years so we know the same amount about them and they know the same about us,” he said.
India and England have clashed 86 times in one-dayers — England have won 35, but India lead with 46 victories. Two matches ended in ties and three produced no result.
