David Lloyd - Sky Sports Expert

Mind the Windies!

Posted: 08th September 2007 16:54

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sarwan twenty20

Sarwan: Bumble's backing

Bumble's six of the best

I'm unbelievably excited about the World Twenty20, I think it's going to be an absolute gem.

The time is right to have a tournament as we have seen what a great spectacle this format of the game is. The fans and players - and commentators - love it!

It has been a question of squeezing it into an already hectric international cricket calender but it was crying out for there to be a World Cup as the 20-over game has really taken off around the world since the inaugural Twenty20 Cup in England back in 2003.

It's a quick competition spread over just two-and-a-half weeks. With three games a day in three different venues it will be fantastic.

And you can see every game live here on Sky Sports with myself and Nasser Hussain joining the commentary team.

Here's how I see the four groups panning out...

GROUP A

I don't see Bangladesh causing an upset here as the host nation South Africa and the West Indies, who have finally found some form in one-day cricket, will be too strong.

South Africa will benefit greatly from playing at home. Home advantage certainly is that in tournament cricket. It's a short competition which I think will suit them as it is just about right for their attention span. Graeme Smith knows that his team will have to just get on with it.

If South Africa put too much theory into their game they tend to forget their job. The captain and the coach have got too many theories and they only have plan A.

They dont have a plan B and never have had. They're known in world cricket as 'the chokers'. South Africans will come back at me on that, but tell me I'm wrong.

I think the West Indies have every chance of getting to the final. They have a vibrant team with the likes of Dwayne Bravo (pictured), Chris Gayle, Runako Morten and Daren Powell and they will be relishing this tournament.

What I will say is that this tournament is a complete lottery - there are so many teams who could go on to win it. For anybody to be certain of who is going to win it is pie in the sky, but you can have your fancies and I have a feeling that the West Indies could surprise a few.

Bangladesh have some talented young players such as Mohammad Ashraful but I don't think they can live with the competition in this group.

GROUP B

Zimbabwe are out of it for me. It will be a two-horse race between the old enemies, England and Australia.

England have beaten Australia before in Twenty20 cricket. Australia are now taking the game seriously whereas before they thought it was a bit of a giggle.

Andrew Symonds (pictured) and Michael Clarke are taylor-made for this tournament. And then they have their skipper, Ricky Ponting. If you were having a bet you would bet without Australia because they are odds-on favourites.

It will be great to see Brett Lee return to international cricket after his injury. Each bowler only has four overs but he can make those four overs tell.

Lee and Shoaib Ahktar have been sorely missed on the international scene as the game needs these rapid quick bowlers. They are great showmen and are breathtaking performers.

I would say that England are dark horses really. Too many theories for me though, they should keep it simple. 'This is a shootout, we'll get one more than you', should be the approach.

Also we have picked a lot of old players which I don't think is the right way to go about winning this fast-paced form of the game.

I wouldn't have gone for Darren Maddy or Jeremy Snape but they have been selected because they have performed consistently well in the Twenty20 Cup so we shall see how they fare.

GROUP C

Again, I can't see the non-Test playing nation of this group, Kenya, causing an upset.

I know that Murali is not playing but Sri Lanka will still be a main contender for the tournament. Kumar Sangakarra is a massive player for them, with his big shots and ability to manoeuvre the field. Mahela Jayawardene, the captain, is a fine player also.

They also have some terrific fielders - fielding will be a key part of any performance in Twenty20.

They will be lots of people's fancy but one thing going against them in South Africa is that they may play on pitches that are a bit too quick, so the batters may get a bit shy.

New Zealand will plug away as efficiently as they always do. There's no Stephen Fleming so Daniel Vettori (pictured) captains them. Jacob Oram will be a big player for them. He is a fantastic all-round cricketer who hits it miles.

Hamish Marshall no longer plays international cricket so they will miss his athleticism in the field but you can't count against them as they will believe they can win it.

And Shane Bond will be electric, so they could easily win this - as any number of teams could.

GROUP D

It will be no surprise to you to hear that I'm giving our local friends, Scotland no chance of getting out of Group D.

So it will be a duel between Pakistan and India. A lot of India's big hitters aren't going - Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly have not been selected, which is a shame.

Because of that I would lean towards Pakistan topping the group.

Although Mahendra Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh (pictured) and Virender Sehwag can all hit a long ball for India, I just feel that Pakistan will come out on top.

Especially as Zaheer Khan has not been chosen. He has been India's best bowler on their tour of England and it will be a shame that we won't see him in action in South Africa.

Pakistan will be trying so hard and the memories from the World Cup will be with everybody.

They really need to perform in this tournament and I see that driving them on to top the Group D table.

PREDICTION

You really can't look past Australia and I should probably give you my tips without Ricky Ponting's men!

Seriously though, I think it will be an Australia v West Indies final.

I thought the Windies played very well against England in the one-day series earlier in the summer.

They were very mobile in the field and threatening with bat and ball. This tournament will suit them. They will love it.

Bumble's six of the best

Comments

Nick Baker says...

Final 4 will be England, Australia, Sri Lanka and South Africa. We will see a repeat of the world cup final, but this time the Sri Lankans will come out on top.

Posted 11:31 16th September 2007

Richard Johnson says...

Afternoon Bumble! Loving the start of the tournament and the commentary. I honestly believe given this mode of the game the tournament is wide open. As England have shown today from the first over they just couldn't seem to get going and didn't really connect when they needed to. My tip are the Sri Lankans (even though they don't have murali). Their batsman have flair and there just seems to be good balance throughout the side. They're also arguably the most consistent team. Whoever wins though i'm sure the tournament will attract more people from all over the world to watch this beautiful game which can only be a good thing. I'll be watching pretty much every game while i'm off work following a foot op so if you please - Keep going with the cheeky commentary! best wishes - Rich

Posted 15:02 14th September 2007

Neil Pearson says...

Hey Bumble, it looks like you tipping the Windies has done them the world of good!!! They're out after two matches...........

Posted 13:03 13th September 2007

Omair Adnan says...

Like most people, I think up to 5-6 teams can win. However, I have a feeling this may be Pakistan's tournament. The reason for this is simple; Pakistani's natural game is very aggressive and they are often found wanting having played an aggressive shot in the wrong circumstances. However, without much pressure and the licence to thrill, players like Afridi, Malik, Younis and Akmal should prove a handful.

Posted 14:43 11th September 2007

Scott Robbins says...

I would say South Africa v Australia final, but England and the Windies impressing in One-dayers recently would be dark horses.

Posted 13:34 11th September 2007

Bharath Pasupuleti says...

I bet my money on Aussies winning comfortably, They are truly invincible no matter how much we all love to see them lose. India can be a threat with their tall batting and much improved fielding as the 'oldies' won't be featuring here. The guys to watch out for are Kevin Peiterson, Ricky Ponting, Virender Sehwag, MS Dhoni, Shahid Afridi, Jayasurya, Lou Vincent, Adam Gilchirst, oh... how i wish Lara's a part of this. And Tendulkar too. And warnie bowling his leggies... Mr. Mean McGrath tormeting with his line... oh man! I miss u guys. On the whole, this is one tournament that is going to bring back life to the classic game of cricket. Hail Twenty20.

Posted 12:27 11th September 2007

Random Bloke says...

i think england and australia will be in the final. i think teams like the west indies wont do well because weve seen how effective spin has been in the domestic game and the west indies only have chris gayle.

Posted 21:46 10th September 2007

Morland Humphrey says...

I also agree with Bumble. I think that the final will be a contest between Australia and West Indies......Lets hope it is not a one sided one for we all know the West Indian's tendancy to crumble when it matters

Posted 14:12 10th September 2007

Chris Benoit says...

I would have to agree with Bumble and his thoughts about West Indies. This really is suited to some of their players and the have the energy and athleticism in the fields to restrict teams to low scores.

Posted 13:09 10th September 2007

Chris Wright says...

I think England and Sri Lanka are the teams to look out for becuase England have a fantastic middle order with the likes off Pietersen, Flintoff and collingwood. Sri lanka have fire power at the top of the order with Sanath Jayasuriya and Mahela Jayawardene.

Posted 09:42 10th September 2007

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