T-20 carnival hits England today

ICC World T20 2009 Group Table

Group A
India (1),Bangladesh (8),Ireland (9)

Group B
Pakistan(2),England(7),Netherlands(10)

Group C
Australia (3),Sri Lanka (6),West Indies (11)

Group D
New Zealand (4)South Africa (5)Scotland (12)

IPL well has entertained the crowds and spectators all over April and May.T-20 world cup in contrast may not well match up to hype provided.well the tournament is short and good for the viewers.England hosts,begin the tournament with the match against the Netherlands.Just the day the T-20,world cup is ready for a kickstart, here's an analysis of the teams fighting it out for the big trophy.

INDIA






The T-20 heroes of South Africa are back to defend their champions tag.The team is moreover the same with a few minor additions to the team that won the cup last time around.Well,India couldn't have asked for IPL to come at a better time.most of the players used it well for T-20 world cup.India is a team that has match winners more than any other team in the world with Sehwag,Yuvraj,Dhoni,Raina,Gambhir,Rohit,Yusuf and bowling aided by Bhajji,Zak,Irfan,Praveen and Ojha.They are quite a balanced team
and still a worthy contender.Dhoni's leadership,India's fearless form just contribute to the team's menace.They are placed in quite a easy group,so at the initial satges they might not have any hiccups but in the later stages teams like NewZealand ,Srilanka may surprise them.Still a worthy semi finalist.The only way probabaly India can lose is through overconfidence,fatigue or complacency.Just when even everything seems to be going right,reports of Sehwag-dhoni tiff doesn't help the matters.Well overcoming all this ,India start their T-20 world cup with party-poppers Bangladesh.

NEW ZEALAND




New Zealand has always been a competitive team in big tournaments.The previous editions semifinalists are now oozing in confidence with recent wins over India.So their team is nevertheless a typical Newzealand one which is qute talented and hardworking but lacking in consistency.Their lack of big match players except Vettori doesn't help their cause.They are fighting it out with South Africa in the group stages.Taylor,Mc Cullum,Oram,Ryder,Styris add to their batting power.Bowling though looks like the weak link.There are too many bits and pieces players who may not fire at the big stages.Anyway,they might runaway with the tournament.So other teams too cant leave them out.The best part of new zealand is their fielding prowess.Just be ready for surprises with this team.


SRILANKA




This talented team arrives to the tournament with mixed form on their back.Their lackluster performance last time doesn't look good for their confidence. Jayasuriya,Sangakkara the new captain,Jayawardene with the bowling line up bolstered by the spin duo Muthaih Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis.The thing going with them is the fact that they have always done well in England.With potential match winners in their disposal Sri Lanka will be a handy team in the tournament.Their group stages might lead them to an early exit.So they have to be on their toes right through the tournament.They have to battle hard for the semis.



ENGLAND

England,the home of cricket probably isn't the team for the trophy.Bundle of talent in both the departments but still England is the same always.The lack of proffesionalism and proper attitude in tournaments have cost them.Just when they look like they are about to make it big,they give it up.They might scrape through the group stages but cant even dream of making it to the final four.Collingwood has to set things straight for the team to progress in the right direction.If handled properly,the English boys can do a good job.Flintoff's abscence might prove costly for them.This T-20 world cup should be the path for top spot for England.Inconsistent,interesting and surprising is the code for England.Never write them off though.


SOUTH AFRICA




South Africa the current no.1 team will have their chins up entering England.Good IPL performances,balanced an united line up,a tight fielding unit will surely make it to the semis provided they don't blunder against the "minnows".Luck hasn't favored them in any big event.They're the ones who can stop India from clinching hte cup more than any other team.Gibbs,Kallis,Smith,Morkel Bro's,Steyn.Harris,Ntini,Boucher form a dream team.They give sleepless nights for many teams.This squad looks fit energetic and enthusiastic.Newzealand might prove a formidable opposition for SA in their group stages.Their inability to play spin comfortably might just give the advantage to spin aided Asian teams.



AUSTRALIA




This season Australia has been in the news for all the wrong reasons,especially the Symonds issue.Australia arrived in England without any expectations or their ususal favorites tag.Every expert is counting them down and giving them no chance.They have a world class batting line up and useful bowlers suited for T-20.Their recent down the hill performances may inspire them to bag the trophy this time around.Gilchrist and Haydo's retirement meant that they required big players to fit in their shoes. Their spin strength is too weak which might weight them down on spinner friendly pitches.On the whole the loss of Symonds is a huge one for the kangaroos.

PAKISTAN




The finalists of 2007 is still proving to be a dangerous force in this format of cricket.Their big match players,unpredictability,variety in their bowling line up could take them a long way in the tournament.Akhtar,Malik,Afridi,Younus,Gul can crush the opposition at any situation.Their fielding abilities leave a lot to be desired though.Their presence is intimidating and their cool attitude will give them an edge over the other teams.



WEST INDIES

Australian former cricketer ian Chappel commented that the probability of WI doing well is similar with the economy flourishing in these times.West Indies have hardly shown the spark and the magic required for a side to win ta big event such as this one.Gayle hasn't led from the front and the assistance from Sarwan and ChanderPaul too has been missing.West Indies is in a mess.They require nothing short of a miracle to play competitvely.They are placed in a tough group,so their problems start early in the event.Getting past Australia and sri Lanka isn't a mean task.The younger players too have failed to mature and emulate their cricket giants.They should probably be ready for an early exit.

THE PROBABLE BOTTOM FOUR







These teams have just been added to fill into the list of 11 teams.Teams like Scotland,Ireland,Netherlands willjust have to add 2 losses to their list and make an early departure from the tournament.Bangladesh among these teams looks good but is in no comparision with the other top ones.Their inefficiency,inablity to learn from their losses have kept them int he same position right through the decade.They might be the party spoilers for teams like India on occasions but still an easy meat for other teams.

MY SEMI FINAL PROBABILTIES

INDIA
SOUTH AFRICA
AUSTRALIA
PAKISTAN

My pick for the finalists:
SOUTH AFRICA VS INDIA

Winners:
SOUTH AFRICA(not guaranteed c'mon this is 20-20)