Sri Lanka - The joys of Twenty20 cricket is the never-ending possibility of an upset, like the Netherlands shocking England at Lord’s in 2009 and Zimbabwe humbling the Aussies at Newlands in 2007. The fourth edition of the World Twenty20 starts in Hambantota, and Cape Times cricket writer Zaahier Adams takes a look at the prospects of the 12 teams.
GROUP A
AFGHANISTAN
The war-ravaged nation made an emotional maiden appearance at the ICC World Twenty20 in the Caribbean in 2010. Despite not winning a game, they certainly gave a good account of themselves, and have proven their growing potential by qualifying for their second successive tournament. They will struggle to break their duck in Sri Lanka, though, having been grouped with previous champions England and India.
Player to watch: Hamid Hassan.
A lively medium-pacer, Hasan will be tasked with keeping the opposition in check through his accuracy.
ENGLAND
Ranked as No 1 in this format of the game, England certainly are the odds-on favourites to become the first team to defend the World T20 title. However, that ranking and certainly the previous triumph in the West Indies was done with not-so-little help from a certain Kevin Pietersen. The 2010 Player of the Tournament is considered persona non grata in the England dressing room now, though, and this will certainly have a major impact on their chances.
Player to watch: Alex Hales.
Somebody has to replace “King KP”, and it seems England may have unearthed a gem in the process. The Middlesex opener has already shown his worth with a couple of swashbuckling innings at the top of the order, with a best of 99.
INDIA
No Indian team ever leave their country’s shores for a major ICC tournament without the expectation of them returning with the trophy. The familiarity of the sub-continental conditions will only increase the pressure. But India, despite owning the most lucrative T20 league in the world, have not come close to scaling those heady heights of 2007 when they were crowned inaugural champions. Their poor recent T20 international form suggests it’s not likely to change here either.
Player to watch: Virat Kohli.
The former India under-19 captain is a run-machine at the moment. He simply cannot stop scoring regardless of the format. An extremely determined individual, Kohli thrives in a high-pressure environment. Be sure to look out for that exhilarating lofted cover drive.
GROUP B
AUSTRALIA
The shortest format of the game has never quite found a snug fit with Australia, despite a Michael Clarke-led side finishing as runners-up to England in the previous edition two years ago. This is best illustrated by their lowly ranking, having even been eclipsed by Ireland recently. The Aussies again – their third in four World T20s spanning five years – have a new leader in the unheralded George Bailey.
Player to watch: David Warner.
The pocket dynamo may have now graduated to Test cricket, but that has done nothing to diminish his dynamism in the shortest form of the game. Warner is a huge threat to the opposition at the top of the order and, along with Shane Watson, holds the key to Australia’s chances in this tournament.
IRELAND
The giant-killers of recent ICC tournaments will look to add another to their growing list at the World Twenty20. Both Pakistan and England have suffered embarrassing defeats to the Irish at previous 50-overs World Cups. They don’t have the most talented squad – mostly made up of county cricket journeyman – but their trademark team spirit and courage offset this.
Player to watch: Kevin O’Brien.
The Belfast bully only knows one way to play, and that is to hit the ball as hard and far as possible. Just ask the English, whom he massacred last year in India, scoring the fastest hundred in World Cup history in the process.
WEST INDIES
The whispers are growing louder that the West Indies are serious challengers for silverware in Sri Lanka. And that is based primarily on the abundance of Indian Premier League stars they boast within their ranks. The Windies attack is also suited to the conditions, with the Caribbean team likely to play four spinners, with the dangerous Sunil Narine leading the way.
Player to watch: Chris Gayle.
The ultimate Twenty20 Master Blaster is back in the maroon of the Windies after wearing every colour of every domestic franchise team willing to meet his financial demands over the past two years. Gayle is a phenomenal force when he gets going, able to single-handedly propel his team to the title.
GROUP C
SOUTH AFRICA
There’s no hiding away from it. The Proteas have “choked” at previous tournaments. Even captain AB de Villiers admitted it in the build-up. Will 2012 be any different? One thing for sure is that the management team of Gary Kirsten and Paddy Upton will do their best to prepare this side better mentally than ever before, even if that means spending time in the Swiss Alps with South African-born adventurist Mike Horn.
Player to watch: AB de Villiers.
The Proteas captain holds so many responsibilities at this stage that it’s almost forgotten that his batting is his most valuable asset to his team. When De Villiers fires, South Africa inevitably win, and they will need to him to set this tournament alight.
S RI LANKA
Never the bride, always the bridesmaid surely applies to Sri Lanka. The hosts have regularly reached finals of major ICC tournaments over the past five years, including the 2009 World Twenty20 final in England, which they lost to the Shahid Afridi-inspired Pakistan. There would be no better place to set the record straight than in front of their passionate home supporters.
Player to watch: Tillakaratne Dilshan.
The 2009 Player of the Tournament has had a lean run of late, but is still capable of turning a match in his team’s favour in a blink of eyelid. Dilshan unveiled the “Dilscoop” in 2009, what will he do in 2012?
ZIMBABWE
The African minnows have done much to improve their domestic structures after a few calamitous years due to political unrest. This has been evident on the field, with Zimbabwe recently winning an unofficial triangular series that also had South Africa and Bangladesh participating.
Player to watch: Brendan Taylor.
Another wicket-keeper-batsman who leads his team, Taylor is the catalyst behind everything good Zimbabwe do. He is an exciting batsman when he gets going, capable of destroying the best of attacks.
GROUP D
BANGLADESH
The Tigers’ progress in international cricket has been depressingly slow for a nation that is so obsessed with the game. Consecutive first-round exits at the World Twenty20 have not done much to change the perception that they remain the whipping boys of the elite nations. New coach Richard Pybus, formerly of the Titans and Cape Cobras, will look to improve this situation.
Player to watch: Shakib-al-Hasan.
Shakib is one of the leading all-rounders in the modern game, and is one of a few Bangladeshis who would be a certain starter in most other first XIs around the world. The left-arm spinner will call on his experience of being part of the victorious Indian Premier League team, the Kolkata Knight Riders, during this campaign.
NEW ZEALAND
The current crop of Black Caps are by no means the overachievers of Kiwi teams that have gone before. The streetwise factor they were so renowned for under Stephen Fleming has dissipated, while there is an over-dependence on certain players, especially in the batting department. However, Twenty20 may be the one format that suits this lot the best.
Player to watch: Brendon McCullum.
The No 1-ranked T20 batsman in the world’s biggest asset is his lack of fear. McCullum respects no opening bowler, and dishes out severe treatment to any fast or slow bowler when the mood takes him.
PAKISTAN
A team that regularly rises to the big occasion, Mohammad Hafeez’s men are always a dangerous proposition in tournament play. The talent is without question in the Pakistan side, but their mental state is another matter. The experienced Dav Whatmore has done wonders since joining Pakistan and will continue to bring a sense of calm to an always emotional dressing room.
Player to watch: Umar Gul.
The 2009 Bowler of the Tournament has lost none of his zip and accuracy and remains, along with Sri Lankan Lasith Malinga, the best T20 death specialist. Gul knows how to bowl a yorker, and executes it with great precision.
Cape Times