Old or new format, the Australians have always started as firm favourites but never emerged champions despite having plenty of match-winners.

The three-time World Cup winners were knocked out in the first round of the opening two tournaments and then in the semifinals of the next two, leaving their fans wondering whether the hoodoo will ever be broken.

The biennial tournament, a brainchild of former ICC chief Jagmohan Dalmiya, was launched in 1998 in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka with the aim of generating revenue and popularising the game in developing countries.

Known as the ICC Knock-Out at Dhaka and at Nairobi two years later, the tournament's format left a lot to be desired as one bad match sent the favourites, like Australia, packing.

Dhaka had nine teams and Nairobi 11, but the ICC increased the number to 12 at Colombo (2002) and in England (2004). It was renamed the Champions Trophy and played on league-cum-knock-out basis.

The name and format changed, but the competitive flavour was still missing and Australia are still in search of the elusive trophy.

Twelve sides were divided into four groups of three, with the winners qualifying for the semifinals. The presence of minnows Bangladesh, Kenya, Zimbabwe, the Netherlands (2002) and the United States (2004) ensured plenty of mismatches.

The ICC woke up this time and saw to it there would be no easy matches for strong teams and no freebies for the minnows. This tournament is the toughest as only the eight teams vie for the trophy.

Six teams -- Australia, England, India, South Africa, New Zealand and Pakistan -- were given direct entry into the main draw based on their rankings in April this year

Out went defending champions West Indies and 2002 joint-winners Sri Lanka, who play against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in the qualifying rounds. The top two sides will join the elite six. The qualifying matches start on October 7.

The real tournament begins on October 15 with eight sides into two groups of four each. Every match matters and every team gets a chance to bounce back after a defeat as the top two from each group advance to the semifinals.

India, Australia, injury-hit England and a qualifier are in Group A, and Pakistan, minus suspended skipper Inzamamul Haq, South Africa, New Zealand and a qualifier in Group B.

Australia hope they can be at their best in this tournament, which also gives them an opportunity to assess form and fitness of their key players ahead of the Ashes and the World Cup in the Caribbean next March.

While the top priority for England and Australia is the Ashes starting in Brisbane next month, the other teams have set their sights on the World Cup.

England skipper Andrew Flintoff has come off an ankle surgery to test himself against the best before resuming his rivalry with the Australians.

"I cannot wait to go to India," said Flintoff.

"I have missed 12 weeks of the season. I have trained hard and worked hard to get back out on the cricket field, so India is something I am desperately looking forward to."

Also back from a long lay-off is premier Australian paceman Glenn McGrath, who is expected to play a key role in the Ashes. He figured in a couple of matches in the recent one-day series in Kuala Lumpur which was won by the Australians.

There will be no dearth of stars as most teams are at full strength and keen to get into the groove ahead of the World Cup.

South Africans Jacques Kallis and Graeme Smith, India's Sachin Tendulkar, Pakistan's Shoaib Akhtar and New Zealanders Scott Styris and Shane Bond all are back after suffering injuries in recent times.