It is September and time for another World Cup. Yes, timefor huge sixes and wacky strokes that occasionally defy the conventionaltechniques of the game. This is thefourth edition of the ICC T 20 world cup. The winners were England who defeated Australia by 7 wickets in thefinal. This year as Sri Lanka beckons welook at the various teams competing for the label of world champion.
This year 12 countries will battle for top honours. We present the contenders and the players towatch out for
Here is a look at the teams and some of the main players ineach team:
Afghanistan
It has been a very trying time, what with the civil warhaving destroyed the infrastructure in that country. This team is the only goodnews to have come out of that country in perhaps 20 years. They have a pretty doughty batting attack witha guy who can bowl in the mid 90’s.
Player to watch : HamidHassan a nippy fast bowler wholearned his craft in Pakistan.
Australia
They may be a tad inexperienced but watch out for them. Theteam may miss out experienced hands like Pointing but are still dangerous. Onlya fool will write these guys off.
Player to watch : George Bailey their captain can change histeams fortunes in a jiffy.
Bangladesh
They have never done justice to their talent. They have upset the odd team in the longerformat but the 20 over game is right up their alley. For them to knock someoneoff their perch, they will have to combine well as a team and hope the stars score and take the wickets.
Player to watch : MohammedAshraful with his sublime touch can wreck the opposition bowling attack.
England
They are the defending champions and have recently beenthrough the wringer in their series against the South Africans. For them tostrike hard at competition they will have to play to their undoubted potential, but then the absence of Petersen could come back to haunt them.
Player to watch : EoinMorgan can change his teams fortunes in a jiffy.
India
It has been a very painful period following the win in the50 over world cup. Eight consecutive losses in the test arena was halted inIndia against the kiwis in a not so emphatic manner. The team has the playerswho will not be questioned on the easy subcontinent wickets. It will remain tobe seen if these guys pull up their socks and score their second win in thecompetition.
Player to watch : MahendraSingh Dhoni their captain is a powerhouse hitter and a shrewd tactician too.
Ireland
These guys can play. Just ask the English how it felt in theworld cup after they were spanked. This time they can seriously embarrass oneof the top dogs and if these guys combine well then someone is going to be veryembarrassed at the end of the tournament.
Player to watch: PaulStirling can score at a fast pace and make life difficult for the opposition.
New Zealand
They used to punch way above their weight. The hadlee andCrowe years were pure magic. That time is long gone. These days it is a case of“lets hope they do well”. This team has a few useful allrounder and they willhave to pull their weight to help their team win and go ahead in thetournament.
Player to watch: BrendonMcCullum undoubted talent can take them far but he will have to display somestaying power.
Pakistan
Brilliant on Monday and trashy on Tuesday, well it has beentheir calling card for a very long time. In a team of brilliant players ShahidAfridi still stands out for his bravura performances. If he is on song then Pakistan will be verydifficult team to beat. Well time will tell.
Player to watch: Shahid Afridi, stands out in a team of brilliant eff ervescent individuals with his unpredictable nature.
South Africa
Solid as ever but still sadly without players of pure flair.Expect them to go far in this tournament but let us hope their mathematicskills are in place. Great bowling and some fine batting and yes theirfielding. They have the undoubted wisdom of Gary Kirsten as coach who can helpthem in times of crisis. This team is without a doubt one of the favorites ofthe tournament.
Player to watch : HashimAmla is in great form and can makechange the direction of this tournament.
Sri Lanka
They are very difficult to beat at home, stylish solidbatsmen and mystery spinners. Quite a combination you will have to agree andthe presence of all these players will be quite difficult to tackle as a team.They will be very hard to beat at home.
Player to watch : KumarSangakkara’s sublime touch will go far to strengthening the claims as one ofthe favorites for the tournament.
West Indies
The glory days are long gone. Calypso fever used to infect theentire cricket world. Sadly these days it is one of sadness at the loss of astriking cricket force. This team however can upset the odd team and to do thatall the batsmen will have to score in a style reminiscent of the eighties.
Player to watch : ChrisGayle is the man who can tear the form book with is explosive batting.
Zimbabwe
Robert Mugabe managed to drive away some of the mosttalented players out of the country leaving the team bereft of quality. Theyhave struggled ever since and sadly are not really expected to spring asurprise.
Player to watch: BrendanTaylor's wise captaincy skills will be put to the test as he tries to help histeam make a mark.
