***The Official 20/20 World Cup Thread***

[Fothsn]

11/09/2007


Teams:

England,
Australia,
Zimbabwe,
New Zealand,
Kenya,
Pakistan,
Scotland,
West Indies,
Bangladesh,
India,
Sri Lanka,
South Africa.


Groups:


Group A
South Africa
West Indies
Bangladesh

Group B
England
Australia
Zimbabwe

Group C
New Zealand
Sri Lanka
Kenya

Group D
Pakistan
India
Scotland


Fixture & Schedule:

________________________________________
Tuesday, 11 September 2007
ICC World Twenty20
South Africa v West Indies, Johannesburg, 17:00
________________________________________
Wednesday, 12 September 2007
ICC World Twenty20
Australia v Zimbabwe, Cape Town, 17:00
New Zealand v Kenya, Durban, 9:00
Pakistan v Scotland, Durban, 13:00
________________________________________
Thursday, 13 September 2007
ICC World Twenty20
Zimbabwe v England, Cape Town, 13:00
India v Scotland, Durban, 17:00
West Indies v Bangladesh, Johannesburg, 9:00
________________________________________
Friday, 14 September 2007
ICC World Twenty20
Australia v England, Cape Town, 13:00
India v Pakistan, Durban, 17:00
Sri Lanka v Kenya, Johannesburg, 9:00
________________________________________
Saturday, 15 September 2007
ICC World Twenty20
South Africa v Bangladesh, Cape Town, 17:00
Sri Lanka v New Zealand, Johannesburg, 13:00
________________________________________
Sunday, 16 September 2007
ICC World Twenty20
A1 v B2, Cape Town, 17:00
B1 v A2, Cape Town, 13:00
C1 v D2, Johannesburg, 9:00
________________________________________
Monday, 17 September 2007
ICC World Twenty20
D1 v C2, Johannesburg, 17:00
________________________________________
Tuesday, 18 September 2007
ICC World Twenty20
A2 v C2, Johannesburg, 17:00
B1 v D1, Johannesburg, 13:00
C1 v B2, Durban, 9:00
________________________________________
Wednesday, 19 September 2007
ICC World Twenty20
A1 v C1, Durban, 13:00
B2 v D2, Durban, 17:00
________________________________________
Thursday, 20 September 2007
ICC World Twenty20
A1 v D2, Durban, 16:00
A2 v D1, Cape Town, 12:00
B1 v C2, Cape Town, 8:00
________________________________________
Saturday, 22 September 2007
ICC World Twenty20
TBC v TBC, Cape Town, 12:00
________________________________________
Monday, 24 September 2007
ICC World Twenty20
TBC v TBC, Johannesburg, 12:00


International Power Rankings:

1 Australia 236
2 Bangledesh 199
3 England 195
4 New Zealand 190
5 India 187
6 Pakistan 186
7 South Africa 182
8 Sri Lanka 158
9 Zimbabwe 153
10 West Indies 151


Twenty20 International Rankings:

1 Australia
2 England
3 West Indies
4 Bangledesh
5 New Zealand
6 India
7 Pakistan
8 South Africa
9 Sri Lanka
10 Zimbabwe


10 Players to set alight the World Cup:

Ricky Ponting (Australia)
Despite harbouring publicly-aired reservations over the shortest form of the game, the Australia captain is sure to be a heavy scorer in the tournament. He hits hard and true and at number three will be ideally set to take advantage of early fielding restrictions. Could be lifting more silverware following his triumph at the recent World Cup.

Adam Gilchrist (Australia)
Although he looks to be coming to the end of what has been a once-in-a-generation career, Gilchrist could dominate in South Africa. Perhaps the most aggressive opening batsman of his generation he can win a game in no time - which is certainly an enviable attribute in Twenty20. Bags of experience and an intimidating presence behind the stumps.

Kevin Pietersen (England)
A recent number one in the one-day batting rankings, KP is as formidable a lubber of the ball as exists in international cricket. Add to the mix a boundless self-confidence bordering on disdain for bowlers and an appetite for new and unique strokeplay and he promises to be nothing less than box office in the country of his birth.

Andrew Symonds (Australia)
The third Baggy Green to make this list, highlighting the world champions' perceived dominance, Symonds is an all-action cricketer. At the crease he consistently finds - and clears - the ropes, while his varied bowling and athletic fielding mean he is never out of the game.

Mahendra Dhoni (India)
In an Indian squad shorn of a host of experienced limited-overs players, Dhoni has been handed both the captaincy and the responsibility of producing match-winning contributions. His leadership from behind the stumps will be crucial while his always inventive batting could produce fireworks.

Greame Smith (South Africa)
As captain and opening batsman, Smith will set the tone for the duration of his team's bid for honours. He scores at a punishing rate from the first ball and demands his colleagues compete fiercely in every discipline.

Muttiah Muralithan (Sri Lanka)
While 20-over cricket is largely seen as a batsman's game, quality bowlers can win games as much through constriction as explosive wicket-taking. Murali is unchallenged as the greatest spinner in the competition and can be expected to pressure batsmen with tight spells and plenty of unplayable deliveries.

Chris Gayle (West Indies)
Gayle suffered an ignominious World Cup as both he and his team flagged in front of their own fans earlier this year. Now, with increased responsibility in the absence of Brian Lara, he will be eager to use his imposing, muscular batting to make amends. His languid off-spin and sturdy hands at slip could also make the difference.

Scott Styris (New Zealand)
A less celebrated performer than some on this list, Styris is nevertheless one of the world's tidiest limited-overs players. The 32-year-old is a consistent scorer in the middle order, while his medium pace is deceptively hard to score quickly from.

Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)
Although a relatively new invention, Twenty20 cricket seems like the game Afridi was born to play. A bundle of energy, fans in his homeland pack stadiums just to watch his devil-may-care batsmanship. An effective leg-spinner as well, he will shoulder much of his side's hopes.


I will update/add loads more stuff to this post once we are up and running

 

[Ripper]

That font size :/

 

[Fothsn]

That font size :/

/Edit Changed

 

[Yas786]

Looking forward to this WC, hopefully will be better than the one in March this yr.

As usual will be supporting Pakistan, even though i dont think they will win it but would be nice if they did. But saying that as per usual they find themselves wrapped up in controversy...seems like the Rawalpindi Express aka Shoaib Akhtar has been sent home and banned indefinitely for striking Mohammad Asif on the thigh with a bat. Looks like they had a major fight which caused Shoaib Akhtar to lose his temper and therefore has been sent home. Was really looking forward to seeing him and Asif play together in the bowling attack but thanks to Akhtar and his penchant for controversy...pak cricket again suffers. Personally i think its time the PCB banned him for life and if he wants to go to the ICL then let him...our loss can be their gain as far as im concerned...hes nothing more than a liability now and has hardly played any cricket for Pakistan..due to his drug ban and his constant injuries.

Full story here for anyone interested: http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/pakistan/content/current/story/310040.html

Other than that, Pakistan have had some good warm up matches so hopefully they will be able to carry that over to the group games. First game is on Wed against Scotland, am hoping that they destroy the Scots rather than getting beat like they did in the WC by Ireland...one of the most embarrassing defeats for Pakistan i should think.

Personally i think the Aussies will win it, with perhaps the SA's getting a look in...but its pretty much an open tournament imho. i dont really rate Englands chances unless Flintoffs fully fit and KP is in form...which tbh from this summers series against India ODI wise...he hasnt really played well.

BTW Murali i dont think will be playing as i last heard he pulled his bicep muscle and was very doubtful for the 20/20 WC.

 

[Rosbif]

Flintoffs batting ability has been overshadowed by the form of other players like Shah, Collingwood and Wright .. plenty of big hitters in the squad IMO .. Flintoff is in there for his bowling IMO .. anything he produces with the bat will be a bonus .. lord knows I'm not banking on him doing anything with the bat .. he should deffo bat down the order as well .. Tbh I rate Collingwood as a better big hitter than Flintoff at the moment .. Thats no joke either .. Collingwood destroyed the Windies during our last 20/20 and has shown some really good form (along with Bell) during the ODIs

 

[Tk7]

I'm feeling positive about England for this World Cup. The batting form we have shown recently should hopefully give us a chance.

I don't think we'll win it, but we seem to have some batsmen capable and willing to hit the ball out of the ground.

Fingers crossed anyhow. Can't wait for it to start, the purists may not like it but no-one can deny it's a spectacle!

 

[Yas786]

Also just to add Pakistan didnt bother taking Yousef or Razzaq to the 20/20 WC, i can understand leaving Razzaq out of the team as he hasnt played well lately but leaving Yousef out was a major major error on Pakistans part. I still cant understand why they would leave their top batsman out of the side...fair enough he isnt that good a fielder but to replace him a fella called Misbah Ul Haq, who hasnt played international cricket for 3 yrs is beyond stupidity. Although hes supposedly a 20/20 specialist but thats not international 20/20 more domestic 20/20 that hes played in Pakistan.

I just hope leaving Yousef and Razzaq hasnt backfired on the Pakistan team...should have had those 2 definitely in the team as they are pretty awesome when it comes to batting....moreso Razzaq who can hit the ball for plenty of 4's and 6's when needed..plus hes handy when bowling as well. Our best chances really remain with 'Boom Boom' Afridi who is simply made for this game tbh...if he isnt firing on all cylinders then i dont think Pakistan will get very far especially when they play the tougher teams later on in the tournament.

Oh well as i said i think the Aussies will be tough to be along with SA and possibly the WI's as well.

 

[Yas786]

Hmmm interesting...not many people here taking any sort of interest in this tournament.

Anyways it all kicks off today with the WI against the SA..should be interesting to say the least...hoping the WI's beat the SA's myself.

 

[Rosbif]

I'm really excited I can't wait for this to start

 

[Rosbif]

Haha what a great start to the competition .. first international ton by Gayle and 10 sixes to go with it

I reckon SA will chase this down though

 

[ringo747]

just typical - i miss chris gayles ton. What a player he is - totally amazing!

 

[BaZ87]

Really enjoying this, so much better than all other forms of cricket

 

[The_One]

Brilliant first match this has been.

SA now require 7 from 17 balls.

Gibbs is just outstanding (82 from 52 balls)

 

[The_One]

All over now SA win by 8 wickets.

Indies threw it away really with some really slack bowling, about 27 wides it was in the end

 

[BaZ87]

I think it was 23 in the end but still pretty shocking. 23 extra runs plus an extra 23 balls they had to bowl, as good as 50 free runs.

 

[Fothsn]

I think it was 23 in the end but still pretty shocking. 23 extra runs plus an extra 23 balls they had to bowl, as good as 50 free runs.

27 Extras total, 23 wides iirc, very very good first game just a shame WI lost the plot on the field & what a performance by Gayle top class but no doubt his record will be broken during this cup by KP or an Aussie!

If today’s game is anything to go by, it’s going to be a cracking world cup!

 

[BaZ87]

when i said 23 extra runs i meant just from the wides (+ the 23 extra balls that had to be bowled)

 

[Fothsn]

when i said 23 extra runs i meant just from the wides (+ the 23 extra balls that had to be bowled)

Oh! I get ya..

 

[tom_nieto]

Damn! I can't believe the WIndies lost! That was exhilerating, seriously good things to come I think. This format just has to be beneficial to cricket in terms of player improvement and improving its profile worldwide. The crowd looked like it was having a brilliant time!

 

[One More Solo]

Was a good game that, not one for the purist in me but I did enjoy it, nice diversion from the proper games.