------------------------------------------------------Shybu Khan for SportsKeeda
The T20 cricket carnival is set to explode onto our
cricketing senses with the start of the ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka. The
steady atmosphere of excitement has been gaining momentum and is set to reach a
crescendo with the first match scheduled to start on 18th, September, 2012
between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.
T20 Cricket by all accounts, has grown to become the most
keenly supported form of cricket with spectator attendances, broadcast
audiences, media coverage and corporate backing for this format witnessing a
constant upsurge.
In its short history, the shortest format of the game has
been able to bring in revolutionary changes to the grand old game that was once
seen as averse to inculcating dramatic modifications – with a governing body
that was deemed conservative to say the least. The T20 World Cup is a celebration
of these popular and successful changes. It is also an acknowledgement of the
fact that this format is poised to drive the great game of cricket into its
next phase of all-round progress – perhaps mostly importantly – developing its
stature as a truly world game.
So, as a build up to the T20 World Cup, let’s examine
some aspects that are pivotal to a major tournament:
The Favorites
South Africa is the current world number 1 in the latest
Reliance ICC Twenty20 Rankings, with England, Sri Lanka and India making up the
top four places respectively. Surprisingly, Australia is languishing at the 9th
spot, sandwiched between Bangladesh and Ireland.
Although the Proteas are expected to do well in the
tournament, we need not dwell on their unceremonious tag of perennial
under-performers at crucial junctures – especially at the world stage. However,
this team looks set to shed this tag for good and make the Cup their own,
ending their drought of major championships and giving the cricket loving
nation something more to be proud of — but many still wouldn’t bet on it.
The defending champions England have a decent set up, but
with their recent dip in form, compounded by the recent controversies that
ensued during the recent series with South Africa resulting in Kevin Pietersen,
the Man of the Tournament in England’s World Twenty20 win in 2010 and one of
the greatest batsmen in the world, commentating rather than blasting away at
the top of the innings for England at this World Cup, means that England’s prospects
have reduced markedly.
Australia brings a relatively inexperienced side to the
World Cup, but their talent is unquestionable, and their grit undoubted. If
they can contend with the heat and build momentum with some early wins, they
could still win their first T20 World Cup. Their biggest threat comes from the
world-class spinners in friendly conditions that know that spin is their
weakness and will look to target them with an onslaught of turners, but one can
only count out Australia at one’s own peril.
India, with their triumph at the ODI World Cup in 2011
under similar condition back home in India, are again among the hot favorites,
with their subcontinent rivals, the mercurial yet supremely talented Pakistan
side expected to put up a credible claim and may even go all the way if the
right Pakistan shows up on the day. The home advantage is definitely going to
help Sri Lanka, aided and abetted by the partisan home crowd and familiarity
with the conditions.
Many analysts are touting West Indies to be the real dark
horse of the tournament with some top T20 talent in their midst who could just
upset the applecart and win their first trophy after the 2004 Champions Trophy
in England. Bangladesh and Ireland could provide some surprises at the expense
of the big teams, and the lion-hearted Afghanistan is expected to win many
admirers with their passion and gusto. Look out for some romantic moments from
this war-torn country that may lighten up the tournament and make all of us
feel a bit mushy on the inside – and who knows, there could just be a fairytale
waiting to happen here.
The Stars – Contenders and Pretenders
It is the players that will ultimately make the
tournament, and it is tournament like these that bring true stars to the fore
and create legends out of them. Although we would miss the master class of
Sachin Tendulkar and the sheer brilliance of Kevin Pietersen, the obvious
talent of the big players on display, apart from the talent that is sure to be
unearthed during the course of this high octane tournament, is sure to set our
pulse racing, our nerves tingling and promises to be awe inspiring at times.
Spinners like Saeed Ajmal – arguably the best off-spinner
in the world; Sunil Narine, Man of the Series of the last edition of the Indian
Premier League who bamboozled the Kiwis in the West Indies; Graeme Swann, the
wily Englishman who is a match-winner on his day; Ravichandran Ashwin, who
gobbled up 12 wickets in a Test match recently; the temperamental Harbhajan
Singh, who is looking to make a big comeback; Daniel Vettori, who is the one
true top-class talent in the New Zealand bowling set up; the 20-year-old
Irishmen George Dockrell, who could come of age in Sri Lanka with some pundits
predicting great things for the youngster – are all sure to take advantage of
the spin-friendly conditions and make an indelible impact and could well decide
who wins it all.
The established quickies like Lasith Malinga, Dale Steyn,
Morne Morkel, James Anderson, Zaheer Khan, and Fidel Edwards, will play their
roles as strike bowlers and are crucial to the success of their teams. Other
exciting fast bowlers who could make a real impression include the young
Australian duo of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins who are all set to let the
world know how good they really are.
The English are bringing their own firepower in the form
of the lanky speedster, Steven Finn and the versatile Jade Dernbach, who can
bowl real quickly if he wants to – backed up by their talented captain, Stuart
Broad. New Zealand will bet on a relatively young fast bowling team of Tim
Southee and Doug Bracewell to provide the much needed penetration and they have
to fire for New Zealand to do well. When talking about fast bowling, you can’t
leave out Pakistan with their deadly lethal pairing of Umar Gul and Sohail
Tanvir raring to intimidate the opposition batsmen.
Now, when it comes to batsmen to watch at the showpiece
event goes, you couldn’t do better than the big boys of West Indies, Chris
Gayle and Kieron Pollard, who are among the most feared batsmen around. We
could at last witness the true genius of Darren Bravo, who many consider to be
the best chance West Indies have of finding another Brian Lara – great praise
indeed – so watch out for him. The Sri Lankan troika of Dilshan, Mahela, and
Sangakkara are lions in their home conditions, and will be looking to shine
under familiar settings. They will be looking to make their compatriots proud
and win their first World Cup after 1996.
India’s powerhouse batting boasts of Sehwag, Gambhir,
Kohli, Dhoni and Raina, and makes for an imposing line up. Pakistan will look
to their colossus, Shahid Afridi, who always has something to prove and will
get his opportunity in what could prove to be his swansong – and along with the
Kamran brothers, Umar and Kamran, the return of Imran Nazir, the biggest
letdown of a talent we have seen; could well form the linchpin of Pakistan’s
attempt to win their second T20 World Cup and few would be surprised if they
do.
England bring in a relatively inexperienced battling line
up, but have some exciting talent by way of Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler –
both good hitters blessed with natural timing and a good sense for the game.
The one to watch in the South African team is the powerhouse, Richard Levi, who
can hit the ball a mile and will provide the power striking at the top. The
supremely talented AB de Villiers, the run machine, Hashim Amla, the legend
Jacques Kallis, and Albie Morkel providing hitting prowess down the order,
round off a team that is arguably the most balanced on paper.
New Zealand’s biggest threat remains Brendon McCullum,
who could just go berserk any day, with Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson
providing maturity to the batting order. Ireland’s batting hopes will rely on
the talents of Kevin O’Brien, the Irish world cup hero, and the young and
talented Paul Stirling, who has already showed glimpses of his talent.
Bangladesh will be pinning their hopes on the all-around
abilities of Shakib Al Hasan, who many cricket analysts deem the best
Bangladeshi player yet, complemented by the stylish Tamim Iqbal, Nasir Hossain
and Mohammad Ashraful, to get them home and spring a few upsets along the way.
They are led by their tenacious captain, Mushfiqur Rahim. Afghanistan will be
looking to the exploits of Mohammad Nabi to help them compete and we could well
see some good performance from some relative unknowns from the side.
The Conditions
The matches are to be staged at three venues in Sri
Lanka; the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo; the Pallekele International Cricket
Stadium, and the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Sooriyawewa,
Hambantota.
The R. Premadasa stadium is generally expected to be
batsmen friendly where we could expect some high scoring matches with India
playing its matches here. The conditions in Pallekele generally assist the
bowlers with Hambantota being relatively neutral to both bat and ball – as
evidenced by the matches in the Sri Lanka Premier League recently. The pitches
will turn no matter what, but seamers could get some assistance, especially
under lights and owing to overcast conditions. Some matches could be affected
due to the rains. The heat and humidity of the island nation is also expected
to hit the players who are aware of what this means this and have been busy
acclimatizing.
Get Set Go
All said and done, one must not forget that the game is
won in the field, and no matter what, it is performances day-in and day-out
that makes world champions. So let the speculation end and let us all get ready
to welcome a great spectacle which is going to provide entertainment par
excellence. Suit up and just enjoy the ride.
Source: SportsKeeda
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