Twenty20 World Cup 2009 - Expect The Unexpected

The second edition of the Twenty20 World Cup kicks off on Friday 5th June England V Holland which is not most entertaining match that will catch the cricket world’s eyes but with the recent success of the IPL we should expect a very high standard in the World Cup.

What can we expect from the World Cup, I think the best to expect is the unexpected because the Twenty20 format can allow a match to change with one mistake, a couple of quick wickets or a huge over. But that is the same of any format but in the Twenty20 format a critical over or mistake can change the game drastically but then you are never really out of the game as we have seen in the IPL with the amount of last over and even last ball wins by the batting and bowling teams.

The World Cup may be played at the right time in England with the weather forecasting being good so we can expect excellent crowds and atmosphere at the big matches. Hopefully no matches affected by the weather or even a super over which is not fair on the teams and even more the fans.

From the warm up matches we have seen that a score of 180/190 can be a winning target where anything up to 150 will be very competitive and it can be anyone’s day. The role of the spinners will play a huge role in the success of the teams as it did in the IPL and we should not be surprised to see the spinner opening the bowling and with success. The team who succeeds in the powerplay will be significant that could ultimately be the decisive factor who goes the furthest and win the World Cup.

Any of the teams have a chance to win, on any day anyone can beat the other but most will be looking at India and South Africa as favorites which would be hard to look beyond those two but you cannot discount New Zealand who will be the outsiders. Any of the 5 team who reach the Super 8’s will be thinking they have a good as chance as any.

England –

The hosts need to put a good show not only for themselves also for the tournament which will keep the interest alive in the country. The winning form they have been on can take them a long way but a lot will depend on Bopara and Pietersen to score bulk of the runs. In the Super 8’s they will need to be on top of there game as they will be in toughest of groups and could be facing two of the favorites.

Pakistan –

After a dismal 18 months and a crushing humiliating defeat to India it is very hard to see Pakistan reach the semi finals. They will require the big players in Younis Khan, Misbah, Shadid Afridi and Umur Gul to carry the team but even that may not be enough.

West Indies –

The most unpredictable team but will they either be hot or cold. They have the hardest group to get out in the first stages and if they get through they will fancy there chances for the semi finals. They have the batting line up that can destroy bowling line ups and a very useful bowling line up, a lot will depend on Chris Gayle and if he is on form as captain and batsmen he is unplayable. With there unpredictability winning the World Cup is a bit too much for them.


Australia –

They have the all around team and motivation to do well which is the only ICC tournament they have not won. You would expect Australia to get out of there tough group in the first round but could struggle in the second round if they have play India, South Africa and hosts England. Players such Ponting, Clarke, Hussey will be key but the all around skills of Shane Watson could be crucial and show his class like he did in the first IPL season. Would do well to reach the semi finals.

Bangladesh –

The form and development has been not been smooth but as they have shown in the last two tournaments they can beat the big boys so beating India is not impossible. Anything is possible in the Super 8’s and if they play with the freedom and enjoyment they can beat anyone but conditions may not suit them and make it too much for them to reach the semi finals.

Sri Lanka –

They have a very good team with the likes of in a very strong batting line up with Murali, Mendis and Maligna in the bowling line up. But they don’t have the best record in England and they have the hardest group in the first round but if they do get through they have a good chance of reaching the semi finals.

New Zealand –

The outsiders of the tournament a very good team lead by a shrewd captain in Vettori. There batting is the strength with there fielding, the bowling may not be the strongest but has the ability to trouble oppositions and have the best Twenty20 bowler in Daniel Vettori. Any of there batsmen have the ability to be the stars of the World Cup and you would expect them to reach the semi finals.

South Africa –

Many favorites to win the World Cup they have an excellent team, batting, bowling and fielding department is top notch and one of the best captains around in Graeme Smith. The English conditions will be perfect for them with there bowling attack and have a very good spinner in Botha. There batting line up has the strength in depth and the power batsmen you need in this format.

India –

The world champions the rock stars of cricket will fell the pressure of performing and doing well this time around. They have the most experience in all departments and any of the eleven they pick has the ability to take India to victory. Two big factors will depend how they perform, firstly the fitness of Zaheer Khan as he gives them the control that will be crucial and how they adapt to the conditions. You would expect them to reach the semi finals but then with India you can never expect too much.

Favorites India and South Africa are impossible to look past in winning the second edition of the ICC Twenty20 World Cup but dark horses New Zealand have an outstanding chance to cause a shock.