Preview: Sri Lanka v/s West Indies

This game too, could prove to be a cracker, just like the first semi final between South Africa & Pakistan. Chris Gayle’s West Indies would try to tackle Kumar Sangakkara’s Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is in same position like South Africa. If they can’t pull a victory in this game, they have to pack their bags. Remember, Sri Lanka is the only team now left in the tournament which is still unbeaten. One loss & they would be out of this tournament.

However, their main focus would be the ‘M’ factor – Murli, Mendis & Malings. The fearsome trio has immense capability to defend even a modest score. Jayasuriya & Dilshan would be looking to give a brisk start to the team, while Sangakkara & Jayawardene will be their in the middle. Though the middle order is not that strong, apart from these two; Sri Lanka would certainly hope these four to fire.

On the other hand, West Indies would try to carry out their good work, done against India & England. Chris Gayle would surely look to revenge the loss against Sri Lanka, received in the league stage. They have just the right combination of experience & youth, attacking & solid batsmen, fast – really fast bowlers & a cheerful, fresh & exciting team. Truly speaking, this team is the best team since the exit of Brian Lara from international cricket. West Indies though would miss Fidel Edwards who has been diagnosed with an irritation of the nerve root in his lower back, but they do have other good bowlers like Jerome Taylor, Suliemann Benn & Bravo. Chris Gayle as a batsman & Dwayne Bravo as an all rounder would be in focus. Their only concern could be the consistency, which they seriously lack.

Well, we hope that a good game is really coming tonight.

Preview – Australia

The ODI champions haven’t done anything notably in the shortest form of the game, yet they are one of the front runners in lifting the ICC World T20 this year. They were knocked down by India last year in an intense semi final, where Joginder Sharma bowled superbly to keep Michael Hussey quite in the last over of the match. Though Ricky Ponting looks confident of holding the trophy this time, recent boozing incidence of key all rounder Andrew Symonds have dented Aussies chances badly.

Australia is in ‘The Group of Death’ with West Indies & Sri Lanka being the other two teams. Winning either both the matches or at least one & the run rate drama will take away Ricky Ponting’s sleep in the days to come. They would be pretty keen at least to get to the second round. Interestingly, they’ve lost their last T20 against Pakistan in Dubai & were also defeated in the two matches against South Africa in South Africa, earlier this year.

Strengths

Big names of world cricket like Ponting, Hussey, Clarke & Lee are in their side & the young guns like Warner, Cameron White, Shane Watson & Nathan Bracken would be there to support the Aussie cause.

Weaknesses

Ponting, Hussey, Clarke & Lee haven’t played much T20 cricket at the domestic level & this might just not be in the favour of the Aussies. Moreover, bowling will also not have much to offer except Lee & Bracken.

Opportunities

To bag one more star in their crown as it could probably be Ponting’s last T20 world cup. He would like to won his last World T20 cup. Also to show the world that they have recovered from the defeats in last year or so against India & South Africa.


Threats

Chris Gayle, Sanath Jayasurya, Muthiah Muralitharan & Fidel Edwards will be trying very hard for their respective teams. Australia has to ensure that these stars should not go big against them. Also bowling can go for runs in the middle overs, where inexperienced bowlers will be in put in attack.

Squad

Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Nathan Bracken, Brad Haddin (wk), Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Peter Siddle, Andrew Symonds, David Warner, Shane Watson

Preview – West Indies

The West Indies are struggling in World cricket since the exit of first, Curtly Ambrose & Courtney Walsh & then Brian Lara. They have won only one major cricket tournament, the Champions Trophy in 2004. Since then, it has seen new lows in the world of cricket. Their current captain Chris Gayle seems to love the T20 format more than any other player in the world. Also the recent performance of his team against England in the Tests & ODIs hasn’t been too exciting. There key players like Gayle himself, Bravo & Dwayne Smith enjoyed huge successes for their respective teams in both the seasons of IPL.

They are in ‘The Group of Death’ with strong contenders of the cup like Australia & Sri Lanka. It is the only group that does not have any associate team & that what worries West Indies, the most. Though, they have beaten Australia in the only T20 game played between these two sides & they haven’t faced Sri Lanka a single time.

Strengths

Batting: Stars like Chris Gayle, Sarwan, Chanderpaul, Bravo & Smith in the top & middle order & Ramdin & Kieren Pollard in the lower order – are the real guns of this Island team.

Bowling: Fidel Edwards’s raw pace could be more than handy in this format. Forget about scoring runs, even if batsmen survive in front of him or not, that is the question. Also the likes of Dwayne Smith – with his slow medium pace & spin of Suliemann Benn (few teams have faced him) could prove crucial.

Weaknesses

Poor form of most of the players could hurt the Windies. Also youngsters like Andre Fletcher & Xavier Marshall can become soft targets if Gayle, Sarwan & Chanderpaul departs early. Same is the case of bowling, where after Fidel Edwards, no real fast & accurate bowler is there & if he goes for some runs, it will be really difficult for other bowlers to stop opponent batsmen.

Opportunities

To show the world of Cricket that lost glory can be brought back with just the right mix of youth & experience. Younus Khan – The captain of Pakistan has said that West Indies could spring a few surprises, is not wrong & unjustified, provided the Windies become very complacent.

Threats

The two other teams in the group are the only threat to West Indies. Complacency against either Sri Lanka or Australia could prove very harmful for the West Indies. Chris Gayle should do everything possible to inspire his team to bring back the lost glory.
Squad

Chris Gayle (capt), Denesh Ramdin, Lionel Baker, Sulieman Benn, David Bernard, Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Fidel Edwards, Andre Fletcher, Xavier Marshall, Kieron Pollard, Darren Sammy, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Lendl Simmons, Jerome Taylor.

Preview – South Africa

The ‘Proteas’ always start a world cup as favourites & end up as ‘Chokers’. Show them a world cup & they press the panic button. They have histories ties, collapses & Duckworth-Lewis calculations being misread. Last time, in their own backyard, India showed them the way out of the tournament. They will again start as favourites.

We can say that this South Africa side’s attitude & body language is quite different from previous sides. Their players like Jacques Kallis, A B DeVilliers, Roelof van der Merwe, Albie Morkel, Mark Boucher, Herschelle Giibs & Yousuf Abdullah had good IPL. In-fact, A B DeVilliers seems to grow mature with his stint with Delhi Daredevils. Yousuf Abdullah got selected for the national side only because of his performance for Kings XI Punjab. Jacques Kallis showed that experience is also required in T20 & Roelof van der Merwe showed that along with Albie Morkel, he could be the right person to hit massive sixes in death overs.

Strengths

Just like New Zealand – South Africa also have some utility player like van der Merwe, Johan Botha in their side; genuine all-rounders like Albie Morkel, Jacques Kallis & J P Duminy (remember his off spinners) in their team.

Special mentions for Johan Botha (for me, he is the second best bowler in T20 after Daniel Vettori) & J P Duminy are strengths in bowling & batting departments, respectively.

Fielding: Excellent fielders like Gibbs, DeVilliers & Duminy.

Weaknesses

Key players like Captain Graeme Smith doesn’t had a good IPL, though a player like him will not be out of form for a long time.

Bowling: With Makhaya Ntini not available for the T20 world cup, Dale Steyn would have to handle added responsibility. If he misfires, then the going would get really tough for them as Wayne Parnell & Yousuf Abdullah are not very experienced guys to handle that kind of a situation. Morne Morkel had not been very successful in the past, especially in T20s. Albie Morkel & the spinners have to ensure that middle overs go smoothly.

Opportunities

To show the world, that they have left behind the tag of ‘Chokers’ by performing excellently. They have the right combination for every condition & their players know how to do it.

Threats

Inclusion of only one quality spinner in Johan Botha could be a possible threat. Robin Peterson has never been a threat to the opponents.

Also they often collapse in tight games & that had given them the tag of ‘Chokers’. They should ensure that their players shouldn’t choke in crunch situations.

Squad

Graeme Smith (capt), Johan Botha, Yusuf Abdulla, Mark Boucher, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Justin Ontong, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Roelof van der Merwe

Preview – New Zealand

New Zealand, probably have the best set of players when it comes to T20 cricket. They have just the right set of players which are tailor made for this format of the game. They have bowlers who can bat, batsmen who can bowl & genuine all-rounders too. No one can write off this team when it is a limited overs business.

New Zealand are in Group D with South Africa & Scotland, which means they should not face any trouble, whatsoever, to get to the next round, though they would be looking to finish on the top spot in their group.

Strengths

All rounders & other utility players: New Zealand have many utility players who can chip in with a handy spell (who are basically batsmen), like Jesse Ryder, Bowlers who can play devastating innings in death overs like James Franklin, Daniel Vettori & Kyle Mills, genuine all rounders like Jacob Oram & Scott Styris.

Bowling: They hae A-grade slow bowlers. The job which was done for many years by Gavin Larsen & Chris Harris is now being done by Jesse Ryder, Scott Styris & Jacob Oram.

Batting: With Jesse Ryder & Martin Guptill – the two new dashing openers are pretty capable of hitting the bowl hard & long.

Weaknesses

Kiwis always have a nag of losing when it matters the most, like the 1992 World cup & same result was witnessed in the 1999 World Cup. On both the occasions, they were knocked down by Pakistan.

Bowling: If Vettori goes for runs, very few bowlers would be able to control the opponent’s batsmen. Their last T20 world cup hero – Mark Gillespie is not available this time. Also the last time dudes – Shane Bond & Chris Martin are also not their to restrict the opponent’s batsmen. This time bowling can be handy but not fearsome.

Opportunities

To show the world that Kiwis can win big tournaments also. Though, they have done that in 1999 when they beat India in the finals of ICC Champions Trophy. That was the first big tournament won by the Kiwis.

Threats

If McCullum & Ryder fails to deliver, then the middle order, which is not so strong apart from Ross Taylor & Scott Styris could prove vulnerable. Ross Taylor plays spin very well, but what about others?

Squad

Daniel Vettori (capt), Neil Broom, Ian Butler, Brendon Diamanti, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum (wk), Nathan McCullum, Peter McGlashan (wk), Kyle Mills, Iain O'Brien, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor.

Previews – Sri Lanka

ICC World T20 is just the perfect platform for a country which is facing miseries from last few months. Firstly, the attack on their team bus in Lahore in March & then armed conflicts in the country have given few opportunities for the countrymen to cheer. The new captain Kumar Sangakkara can bring a new & refreshing chapter in the lives of the team & country. He can provide some happy moments to the countrymen to cheer about.

There couldn’t be a difficult first assignment for any captain. Sanga will start leading his side from the ICC World T20. With the right mixture of experience & youth Sri Lanka might perform brilliantly in this world cup. Last time they were knocked down by the Pakistanis & Kangaroos.

Strengths

Bowling: With in-form bowlers like Malinga, Muralitharan & Mendis, they can fancy their chances this time. Kulasekara & Maharoof could find the going easy as their will be plenty of swing in England.

Batting: Jayasurya, Dilshan, Sangakkara & Jayawardene – The ‘Fab Four’ of Sri Lanka could be a nightmare for any bowling attack.

Weaknesses

Lower Middle order is a bit shaky, as Chamara Silva & Maharoof had to try really hard to get some big runs in the death stage or even if the ‘Fab four’ departs early.

Opportunities

To leave behind the bitter remembering of Lahore bus attack & military conflict back home by winning the ICC World T20.

Threats

Pakistan Captain Younus Khan said that West Indies could spring up some surprises. This might be a threat to the other teams in that pool – Sri Lanka & Australia. So Sri Lanka have to play their best & hope that Chris Gayle have a tough day.

Squad

Kumar Sangakkara (capt), Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Jehan Mubarak, Chamara Silva, Indika de Saram, Angelo Mathews, Farveez Maharoof, Nuwan Kulasekara, Thilan Thushara, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Lasith Malinga, Isuru Udana.

Preview – England

England’s performance in big tournaments has been disastrous – to say the least. The inventors of Cricket hasn’t excelled or dominated the game for a long time. Not even in T20 cricket, they’ve been outstanding. With so many domestic cricketers in their player’s bank, England should have ruled the world cricket, but that hasn’t been the cause.

Nevertheless, Paul Collingwood – The English Captain pledged to “surprise a few people” (I don’t think he meant winning the tournament). Still, home conditions & crowd (?) (When India plays against England in England, it seems the match is being played in Mohali or Mumbai & not Manchester) will give them an extra edge over other teams. It should enable them to leave behind the feeble efforts in 2007, where they were able to defeat only Zimbabwe.

Strengths

Young guns like Graeme Swann, Ravi Bopara, James Foster, Graham Napier & Eoin Morgan have brought freshness in the team. Though senior pros like Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, James Anderson and Owais Shah are capable of performing well under pressure.

Weaknesses

Absence of Andrew Flintoff will hurt them badly. I agree that he wasn’t very successful in IPL, playing for Chennai Super Kings; still he had that ability to bowl just the perfect yorkers & hitting big sixes – when they were most required.

Opportunities

To show the world that they can play good cricket (let it be T20) & come hard in big tournaments like this. They have exciting young cricketers & experienced guys, who can turn a game on their own.

Threats

Choking is one of the biggest threats to their campaign. If one wicket falls, other follows this trend & if one bad over comes (while bowling), fielders & following bowlers crumble under pressure. Also England – as a team shouldn’t care about Pietersen’s personal comments about himself "I'm not very good at Twenty20, am I?” They should rather concentrate on what other teams are not good at.

Preview – Pakistan

Very few sides in ICC World T20 really need to win the trophy as Pakistan. Winning this cup may really help to give Pakistan cricket a boost which is marred by pull out of ICC World Cup Cricket to be held in Pakistan & India in 2011. Every team in the world has refused to travel to Pakistan after the attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore.

Talking about on field performances, this is certainly one of the most unpredictable team in world cricket. On one day they can defeat the best of the team like Australia & India. On the very next day, they can suffer a defeat against the weakest of teams like Ireland & Bangladesh.

Though, it won’t be easy given their rustiness off late. They were the only test playing team which didn’t participated in IPL. They are the only test playing nation to play least cricket since Jan 2007. Even Bangladesh has played more cricket than them.

Strengths

Spinners like Saeed Azmal & Shahid Afridi (you should call him a bowler now; he is no longer a batsman, given his performance in last two years or so).
Batsmen like Misbah Ul Haq, Salman Butt, Shoaib Malik & Captain Younus Khan.
Fast Bowling – which have representatives like Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul & Rao Iftiqar Anjum.

Weaknesses

Fielding has let them down many a times. Sometimes, even catching also seems pathetic. Fielders like Salman Butt & Captain Younus Khan should ensure that their fielding efforts might inspire others to throw themselves in the field.

Opportunities

Winning this cup or even reaching the finals might help in reviving Pakistan’s cricket which is into it’s worst phase currently. Every country has refused to play in their backyard & winning ICC World T20 cup will surely give countrymen something to cheer about.

Threats

Rustiness could possibly be a threat to their hopes of winning & taking the cup to Pakistan. They haven’t played competitive cricket from long time barring 5 ODIs & 1 T20 against Australia. in Abu Dhabhi in April-May. They should ensure that staying away from international cricket for a long time has not made any major difference.

What's ur pic?

It's been scorching hot here in India but chilly mornings, afternoons & evenings in England where the World T20 is going to start from Friday June 5. For now teams are playing practice games & we are having fascinating results. Both the finalists of last world cup lost their practice games against their opponents. India lost against New Zealand & Pakistan lost against South Africa.

Interestingly India haven't won a single T20 game against New Zealand. Kiwis were the only team to defeat India in the last world cup, then they defeated India 2-0 in their own backyard earlier this year & now they defeated them last night. I agree it was a practice game but a win is a win. Still, it wasn't a one-sided game & players like Suresh Raina & Rohit Sharma along with Ravinder Jadeja played superbly but it was James Franklin's three massive sixes & 27 runs in 10 balls ensured New Zealand keep their record clean against India.

The results for warm up games so far are as follows:

• May 26 - Bangladesh v New Zealand – New Zealand won by 4 wickets
• May 27 - Ireland v New Zealand – New Zealand won by 7 wickets
• May 28 - Scotland v West Indies – West Indies won by 14 runs
• May 28 - Bangladesh v Netherlands – Bangladesh won by 64 runs
• May 29 - Bangladesh v Scotland – Bangladesh won by 6 wickets
• May 30 - Ireland v West Indies – West Indies won by 5 wickets
• May 30 - Netherlands v New Zealand - New Zealand won by 90 runs
• June 1 - Australia v Bangladesh – Australia won by 38 runs
• June 1 - Ireland v Netherlands – Match tied (Ireland won in the super over)
• June 1 - India v New Zealand – New Zealand won by 9 runs
• June 1 – Pakistan v South Africa – South Africa won by 59 runs

Cool Captain Hot Team!!!

MSD has been termed as the coolest captain Indian cricket has ever produced. A lot has been written about his captaincy & man-management skills but one seldom praises his batting & wicket-keeping which is equally good. He led India to a famous win against Pakistan to lift the ICC World T20 which held in South Africa two years back. At that time, few players were known, few were famous & few were very new to international cricket. They win the world cup that time. This time also they are everyone’s favourite to lift the trophy again.

Just have a look at the formidable World T20 team that will be playing against the big powers of world cup. I am providing the IPL stats of the guys who have been selected to represent India in the biggest tournament of the shortest version starting from June 5 in England.

Captain & Wicketkeeper: M S Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings)

M-13, Runs-304, HS-58*, Avg-43.42, SR-131.60, 50s-2

Vice Captain: Virender Sehwag (Delhi Daredevils)

M-11, Runs-198, HS-50, Avg-19.80, SR-143.47

Gautam Gambhir (Delhi Daredevils)

M-15, Runs-286, HS-71*, Avg-22.00, SR-102.87

Harbhajan Singh (Mumbai Indians)

M-13, Best Bowling-4/17, Avg-21.33, ER-5.81, SR-22.0

Ravindra Jadeja (Rajasthan Royals)

M-13, Runs-295, HS42, Avg-26.81, SR110.90, Bowling: Wkts-6, Best-3/15, Avg-25.16, ER-6.47

Zaheer Khan (Mumbai Indians)

M-6, Wkts-6, Best Bowling-3/31, Avg-23.66, SR-21.00, ER-6.76

Praveen Kumar (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

M-13, Wkts-13, Best Bowling-3/30, Avg-30.30, ER-7.93, SR-22.90

Pragyan Ojha (Deccan Chargers)

M-15, Wkts-18, Best Bowling-3/21, Avg-19.33, ER-6.50

Irfan Pathan (Kings XI Punjab)

M-14, Runs-196, HS-39, Avg-19.60, SR-124.05, Bowling: Wkts-17, Best Bowling-3/35, Avg-22.94, ER-7.74

Yousuf Pathan (Rajasthan Royals)

M-13, Runs-243, HS-62*, Avg-20.25, SR-132.78, Bowling: Wkts-7, Best Bowling-3/34, Avg-34.71, ER-6.94

Suresh Raina (Chennai Super Kings)

M-14, Runs-434, HS-98, Avg-31.00, SR-140.90, Bowling: Wkts-7, Best Bowling-2/17, Avg-23.42, ER-5.92

Ishant Sharma (Kolkata Knight Riders)

M-11, Wkts-11, Best Bowling-2/15, Avg-27.00, ER-6.90

Rohit Sharma (Deccan Chargers)

M-16, Runs-362, HS-52, Avg-27.84, SR-114.92, Bowling: Wkts-11, Best Bowling-4/6, Avg-14.63, ER-7.00

R P Singh (Deccan Chargers)

M-16, Wkts-23, Best Bowling-4/22, Avg-18.13, ER-6.98

Yuvraj Singh (Kings XI Punjab)

M-14, Runs-340, HS-58*, Avg-28.33, SR-115.64, Bowling: Wkts-6, Best Bowling:3/13, Avg-23.66, ER-7.10