AMIDST the euphoria of the Olympics and the despair of Euro 2004, the achievements of England's cricket team have been somewhat overlooked this summer.

Since returning from their triumphant winter tour of the Caribbean, England's Test stars have racked up back-to-back series wins over New Zealand and West Indies and won seven consecutive Test matches for the first time in 75 years.

Michael Vaughan's one-day side even put a disappointing NatWest Triangular Series behind them to enjoy a rare series win over India last month.

In most other years, England's golden summer would have been front page news but, with the sporting schedule more packed than ever, the nation's cricketers have struggled to win the praise their exploits undoubtedly deserve.

All is not lost though, with this month's ICC Champions Trophy offering one last chance to make an indelible imprint on the collective sporting psyche.

On paper, at least, everything looks to be in England's favour. Vaughan's side enter the tournament on the crest of a wave following their summer successes and, in Andrew Flintoff, they possess the best one-day player in the world.

The Lancashire all-rounder beat off the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting to claim the one-day international player award at this week's ICC Awards Dinner - just reward for an incredible season in which he has averaged more than 78 in the one-day game and claimed career-best bowling figures of 4-14.

Flintoff's fine form, and the advantage of being the host nation, mean that England will start as one of the favourites when they open their campaign against Zimbabwe today.

But the vagaries of the Champions Trophy mean there is no room for error if they are going to be involved in the final at The Oval on September 25.

Whereas the World Cup is an interminably drawn-out affair with multiple mismatches along the way, the Champions Trophy is much more of a crash, bang, wallop form of the game.

The whole thing is over in the space of 15 days and, with just one team progressing from each group, a single defeat is likely to signal the end of the competition.

England will surely avoid that fate this afternoon but, with Sri Lanka almost certain to beat a rebel-less Zimbabwe as well, the fate of Group A will be decided when the two teams meet at The Rose Bowl on September 17.

The choice of the Hampshire venue is interesting as, for much of this season, the pitch has been conducive to the kind of seam bowling in which England have excelled all summer.

Fielding first would be an advantage given England's shocking record when opening the batting but, with the likes of Darren Gough and Steve Harmison in full flow, it would be a surprise if the Sri Lankans were able to contain England's pace bowling attack.

England are unlikely to be the only side electing to field if they win the toss as, with the weather likely to be unpredictable at best, batting is always going to be at its most difficult when the white ball is moving in the early morning moisture.

The toss could play a crucial role in a number of games, although it will surely have no effect when the favourites Australia take on the 5,000-1 outsiders USA on Monday.

The Champions Trophy is the only major competition Australia are yet to win, and their chances will hinge on the Group A showdown with New Zealand at The Oval.

The Kiwis proved their one-day mettle by winning this summer's NatWest Series and, while they will need to be at their very best to beat their Antipodean rivals, they are one of the few sides who can recall recent successes against the all-conquering Aussies.

Group C contains two sides desperately searching for a return to former glories, but neither South Africa nor the West Indies will be travelling to England brimming with confidence.

With Graeme Smith, Shaun Pollock and Jacques Kallis in their ranks, South Africa should be as strong as any side in the tournament. Ten consecutive one-day defeats, however, tell a slightly different story.

The West Indies will still be without the talented Dwayne Smith as they look to put a wretched summer behind them but, while Brian Lara remains capable of winning a game by himself, recent displays have hinted at a worrying lack of both direction and discipline.

The game of the tournament could well come at Edgbaston on September 19 with the game's two greatest rivals - India and Pakistan - going head to head.

India looked ring-rusty in their recent series defeat to England, but any batting line-up that includes Virender Sehwag, Saurav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid is not going to stay quiet for long.

The Pakistan side is still going through something of a transition at present but, amidst a riot of colour and noise, they will push their Asian neighbours close.

September and cricket are not words that generally go together in England, and a sustained spell of wet weather could yet turn the tournament into the sporting equivalent of the National Lottery.

But, if the current dry spell continues, English cricket could ensure that 2004 finishes with a bang. It's been a splendid summer - now for an agreeable autumn.