Weekly Round Off!

Quotes of the Week

“I amm not very good at T20 cricket, am I?”

Kevin Pietersen

“As we prepare for the Twenty20 World Cup, we are a superbly united team”.

M.S. Dhoni

“It simply doesn’t get better than this. To be sitting in the changing room, the Lord’s dressing room, having beaten England ….  it’s just fantastic”.

Peter Borren, Netherlands All rounder.

Story of the Week: Predictor

The team CricRepublic after an exhaustive survey presents the most probable semi finalists for the T20 world cup. Going into the tournament India are the hot favourites to retain the title. But in this short version of cricket things change so rapidly, that before you realise that your position is under threat, you would have already lost the battle. The best example is the recently concluded IPL where the semi finalists could not be decided till the last league match.

To the point, we fancy the four semi finalists to be India, South Africa, Pakistan and Australia in the order as specified. There is fair chance of Australia being replaced by West Indies or the minnows Bangladesh. The justification for the four teams is as follows.

Firstly, India has the advantage of all its players being part of the just concluded IPL. The Bench Strength is so strong that whoever is left out is a pity to the commentator. How can R.P Singh sit out, he is the best bowler in the team, How can u drop Ojha he has taken 4 wickets on his debut? Such are the questions Dhoni would face in the coming days. Its rather problem of plenty for the Indians. India also has players of calibre, who can change the course of the match in a single over, Yuvraj, Sehwag, Yusuf Pathan are a few to name.

South Africa has essentially 3 players who are in terrific form coming into the world cup. Kallis, Gibbs, and AB De Villers have at least played a couple of match winning knocks for their respective IPL teams. The South Africans have traditionally been the best players on field; the fielding skills are of highest grade. The weak link to South Africa is in their bowling department which has to ably support the star studded batting side.

Pakistan, dubbed as the most inconsistent side has the potential to beat the best of teams on their day. Do not be surprised if they are victims to a few upsets, but also they are bound to upset the plans of the well established sides. With players like Younis khan, Shahid Afridi, and Misbah in its ranks; there is no reason why Pakistan cannot reach at least the semis. They might have lost the practice match to India, but Pakistan never managed to win a match against India in any world cup including the 1992.

The fourth choice might be a little surprising. Australia was picked ahead of New Zealand and West Indies for reasons aplenty. Australia is like a wounded tiger, recovering now; only to comeback stronger. It has got some big match players, which include their captain Ricky Ponting. Michael Hussey and Shane Watson will add teeth to the most promising batting line up. Australians know the winning ways, better than any other side; it’s a matter of that one elusive win.

New Zealand, England and West Indies are all looking to displace either Pakistan or Australia of their hooks. It would take some special effort from these countries to get into the last four. The key players would be for New Zealand it is Ross Taylor and Jesse Ryder; for England it is Stuart Broad, Owais Shah and Paul Collingwood and for West Indies it would be Chris Gayle, Edwards, Bravo and Sarwan. As for Sri Lanka, it is now not a huge force to reckon with. With players like Jayasuriya and Malinga they can reach the super eight stage, and beyond that is anybody’s game. Bangladesh and Netherlands are good sides with competitive players, but they will have to produce miracles to reach the last four.

Quiz of the Week:

1) What is the highest team score in T20 internationals?

A) 260/6 by Sri Lanka against Kenya on 14-09-2007.

2) What is the lowest team score in T20 internationals?

A) 67/10 by Kenya against Ireland on 04-08-2008.