The schedule for the 2017 50-over tournament in England and Wales was confirmed today - exactly a year before the opening game - with the two Asian rivals clashing in a Group B clash at Edgbaston in Birmingham on June 3.

Hosts England also staged the last edition of the tournament in 2013, when they lost the final to the Indians.

They will begin by entertaining Bangladesh at The Oval in London in Group A, in the first game of the competition on June 1.

Bangladesh are returning to the tournament for the first time since 2006, with Group A also featuring regional rivals Australia and New Zealand.

The Aussies and Kiwis will begin with a repeat of the 2015 World Cup final at Edgbaston on June 2.

Sri Lanka and South Africa are the other sides in Group B - with the two countries meeting in their opening game at The Oval on June 3.

Sophia Gardens in Welsh capital Cardiff will be the third ground to host matches, starting with England's second game against New Zealand on June 6.

The top eight teams in the ICC One Day International (ODI) rankings on September 30, 2015, automatically qualified for the event.

That means the West Indies, who won the ICC World Twenty20 in April, will be major absentees as the Caribbean collective were ranked ninth at the time.

The top two from each group will advance to the semi-finals with the final scheduled for The Oval on June 18.

The ICC has also added the reserve day for June 19 - something that was lacking in 2013 when India won a farcical rain affected final which was reduced to just 20 overs.

With 15 matches played over 18 days, the Champions Trophy is designed as a quickfire international tournament, in contrast to the World Cup which can last for well over a month.

ICC chief executive David Richardson said: “The ICC Champions Trophy is a short and sharp event, which is followed and enjoyed by the spectators and players alike.

“The ICC Champions Trophy 2017 is not just an ODI competition, it carries a great deal of value since it is being played just three months before the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 qualification cut-off date.

"As such, every point earned here could be crucial.

“The announcement of the ICC Champions Trophy schedule 12 months before the start of the event will provide sufficient time to all eight sides to plan for the tournament and arrive in England and Wales fully prepared and geared up so that they can collect enough points to directly qualify for the 2019 extravaganza.

“The ICC Champions Trophy will also be the first of three global tournaments the England and Wales Cricket Board will be hosting over the next three years.

"Immediately after the ICC Champions Trophy, the ICC Women’s World Cup will be staged while the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, the pinnacle of the 50-over format, will be held in 2019.

“These three competitions will provide the culturally diverse society of the United Kingdom as well as travelling fans from across the globe an opportunity to watch live action and follow their favourite players and sides.”