This is one tournament where
there is absolutely no clear favourite. And going by the past, this is a format
in which being favourites has had no concrete repercussion. In Group 1 we have Sri
Lanka, South Africa, New Zealand, England and Netherlands. This appears to be
easier group, but the format of T20 is such you cannot afford to blink. The way
Zimbabwe, Netherlands and Ireland battled for that one spot in the SUPER 10
could well be indicative of what to expect in the tournament ahead.
1) SRILANKA – FAIRYTALE FAREWELL
They have been
one of most consistent sides over the years in this format. They have come
second a few times in the last decade in ICC tournaments. Winning this could
just be the fairytale farewell for the legendary duo, Kumar Sangakarra &
Mahela Jayawardene. They have one of the older sides in the tournament. With a
reasonably good batting line up, the key to their success could be the variety
of bowlers they have in their ranks who have played most of their cricket in
similar playing conditions. As a unit, they could surely be a force to reckon
with.
Likely XI – 1) K Perera, 2) TM Dilshan / L
Thirimanne, 3) K Sangakarra, 4) M Jayawardene, 5) D Chandimal, 6) A Mathews, 7)
T Perera, 8) N Kulakesera, 9) L Malinga, 10) S Senanayake, 11) A Mendis / R
Herath
2)
SOUTH
AFRICA – CONSISTENT CHOKERS
They haven’t won
a knockout match at an ICC event in the last sixteen years, since they lifted
the Champions Trophy in 1998. They have always found unique ways of exiting big
stage tournaments. Most of their top order being IPL regulars is not short on the
experience of playing in these conditions. The only significant weakness is the
spin department, which could prove detrimental in these conditions. With
legends like Kallis and Smith having called it a day, the dynamic young men
from South Africa would be keen to break the jinx, much like the recent U19
boys triumph at ICC U19 WC in Dubai. This time around they don’t have the favourites
tag attached; could that be the ideal turnaround?!
Likely XI – 1) H Amla, 2) Q De Kock, 3) F
Du Plessis, 4) AB Devilliers, 5) JP Duminy, 6) D Miller, 7) A Morkel, 8) D
Steyn, 9) M Morkel, 10) I Tahir, 11) L Tsotsobe
3)
NEW
ZEALAND - REJUVINATED DARK HORSES
They are one
team who have hardly ever been the talk of the town. They have always produced glimpses
of brilliance but have rarely been able to make it spectacular. Having comprehensively
beaten top ranked India at home, they will be high on confidence. Their skipper
Brendon McCullum has been in scintillating form. They have a long batting order
and plenty of bowling options. Being in
the easier of two pools, they have a reasonably good chance to progress to the
knockouts.
Likely XI – 1) M Guptill, 2) K Williamson,
3) B McCullum, 4) R Taylor, 5) L Ronchi, 6) C Anderson, 7) J Neesham, 8) N
McCullum, 9) T Southee, 10) K Mills, 11) M McClenaghan
4)
ENGLAND
– HORRID TIMES
They have had a
forgetful last few months in all formats on the international circuit. The sudden
retirements of Pietersen & Swann, the surprise pullout by Trott is a sign
of the mood in the England camp. Coming into this tournament they will be
terribly low on confidence. But T20 is one format where fortunes can be reversed
in no time. They really need someone to pull something out of a hat. Their
batting looks well equipped but the weak link lies in the inexperienced bowling
attack.
Likely XI – 1) M Lumb, 2) A Hales, 3) M
Ali, 4) E Morgan, 5) J Butler, 6) R Bopara, 7) T Bresnan, 8) C Jordan, 9) S
Broad, 10) J Tredwell, 11) J Dernbach
5)
NETHERLANDS
– UPBEAT MINNOWS
Having pulled
off a chase of 190 runs in 14.2 overs to qualify for the SUPER 10 was no less
than a miracle for the associate nation. This performance by them would be a
good warning bell for the Test Nations not to take them lightly. With just two
teams to qualify for the knockouts, it is going to require few more miracles to
progress ahead.
Likely XI – (same as winning XI in last
match of qualification stage)
Previous Feature –
GROUP 2 CONTENDERS – THE GROUP OF DEATH (link below)
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