The squads are displayed at Cricinfo.
England isn't to be underestimated at home - they are lions and in their den. I'm hoping they do well this time for then we could all see them finally express themselves honestly and freely. Being bridesmaids for ever has soured them off limited overs cricket and those who have won them in the past. They are well positioned to win this one, and if they do, we all may heave a collective sigh of relief for it is possible they may have something good to say about limited overs after all.
New Zealand is a potential world beater...write them in for the semis or more if Taylor and Ryder click with McCallum.
Australia has begun to come into its own. Not its usual dominant self yet but watch out for good performances from the Ozzies. I'm sure they'd not mind Gilly and Warnie playing T20 for them!
Sri Lanka....the dangerous floaters. I call them floaters, because they could switch off as easily as they play brilliantly. TM Dilshan is in a good frame of mind. He's htiiing the straps in all versions of the game - along with other veterans, this Lankan team has it all to win the cup. Mahalinga, Murali, Sanath, Sanga, Mahela, Mendis...strong team this.
Pakistan are always contenders...irrespective of who plays for them. They have a good team...a capable team.
Bangla Boys will upset a few teams...they've been around for a while now as a team.
West Indies, in T20, are not to be sneered at. And they have been in England for a while now acclimatising themselves. Gayle at the top is a game changer. Castro has been in form recently. So has Sarwan been. If Fletcher, X-man and Simmons come good, then along with Bravo and Chaders they can whip up some useful stuff. 'd have liked to see Younger Bravo and Barath being blooded.
South Africa - this could be the team for this year. But something tells me it could also be not!
India - this is a capable side but with some key players out of form. If English conditions influence the games, then I'd like to see how chaps like Rohit Mumbai Mamba Sharma, Suresh 6-Rainer Raina and Ravindra Jadeja manage. Ishant Sharma, who in my futile opinion has been wasting his time in the KKR camp, will have to be guided well by all seniors. Here is a chap who could win it all in a burst but hasn't found the key to do it. He appears kind of dyslexic when it comes to limited overs game...unable to bring it all out properly despite knowing how. To me, he will be the difference between going the full distance or being left stranded. RP Singh should be effective, Praveen Kumar is proving trustworthy, Irfan Pathan is a man whose shoulders have grown broader, but have changed the dynamics of his bowling in the bargain...he's still a rubber band, but more like an overused rubber band now....the snap back isn't quite there in his inswingers. But he is an honest trier and experienced.
I really do not know much about the other participating teams. I'll miss the Zimbos in the line up.
Here's wishing everybody the best, may the better playing team win.
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6 comments:
I still don't see any signs that Australia takes this format seriously...
But they are a balanced team which has begun to play as a team.
Mitch Johnson will be the man to watch out for in the tournament and Haddin of course. Everyone else should chip in a bit.
I'd be moderately surprised if Australia do not make it to the semis.
They have rough edges still but as we saw in SA, they can overcome them.
Hi SB
I will be surprised if India repeats their 2007 performance, this time. In my opinion they will struggle to make the semis. But if they make then they may go on to win the title. There is every possibility that India will face Aus, Pak and NZ in second round. Given the form of some players and the amount of cricket they are playing since Jan this year, I will be hugely surprised if India makes it to the semifinals.
Australia had a good break and surely they would want a successful campaign at T20 WC before the Ashes. They may be two different teams but still the nucleaus of the team play in both formats. Poor performance (not making Semis) is not desirable for them given that Ashes is around in England.
NZ has, besides those you mentioned, Vettori who could win a T20 match with his bowling. Add Guptil who is good. Their brilliant fielding could chip in to tighten the grip when Vettori slows things down. They are a very good T20 side SB. Of all the teams they are the one most certain to make the last 4. SA could be the second team certain to make the last 4.
Hi Bala!
I think it is tough for India to retain the title. They can, as you say, if they progress to semis with positive momentum.
I have a feeling Australia is underplaying the tournament timed as it is before the Ashes...I cannot believe they have turned into a team whih doesn't mind losing a tournament just because they think it is a load of fun. Imagine if England were to win it by beating Australia in the finals or along the way! Ashes would again experience a shift in energy!
Moreover, Australia have a balanced side...batting usefully deep.
However, NZ and Lanka are teams which need close watching. Pakistan has a good mix too.
I'm certain this T20 WC will be more seriously fought than the one before...for starters India are coming into this edition with preparation unlike their reluctant participation the last time around.
The challenge for India is to retain something...India have perhaps not retained anything they have once won...except the Border Gavaskar Trophy once I think.
Australia didn't seem to mind putting WC preparations ahead of the ODI series in 2007. But I'm sure the players will put everything into it - I'm just no tsur ethat some of them or the selectors have really started thinking in terms of the shorter game. I'm most interested in seeing how Pakistan do.
Australia looks good along with SA. Looking at the group India is in, I wonder if it was fixed to get the crowds interested at least till the super 8s.
Maybe a grand upset is on the cards.
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