Hit where it hurts

Bob Willis picks his power-players to watch out for when the ICC World Twenty20 gets underway today.

Scintillating strokeplay in store as nations contest T20 crown

Dashing stroke-play against devilish deliveries - the ICC World Twenty20 is the ultimate test of do-or-die cricket. The third instalment kicks off on Friday, when New Zealand take on Sri Lanka in what should be a classic show-starter in Guyana. But which of the 12 competing teams will seize the opportunity to put their name on the trophy alongside former winners Pakistan and India? Find out by following the tournament live on Sky Sports and skysports.com, where our pundits and in-vision commentaries will keep you abreast of every development in the West Indies. As part of the build-up, we asked Bob Willis to give us the lowdown on the power-players he thinks could light up the competition. Let us know your thoughts by filling out the feedback form below...

Group A

Australia

Smasher - Shane Watson: Has undergone an extraordinary development from a bowler who batted a bit to the reverse. He has an amazing eye and hits the ball down the ground very powerfully; he's got all the big shots - don't you worry about that! Striker - Shaun Tait: Dirk Nannes and Brett Lee are potential match-winners too but after his period of transition and reflection in the wake of a chastening 2005 Ashes experience, this might just be Tait's time to blast his way into the headlines.

Bangladesh

Smasher - Tamim Iqbal: An incredible talent who surely will be picked up by the IPL or a county soon because he has a wonderful array of shots. Stunned India at the 2007 World Cup with a sparkling fifty and it's definitely time for more fireworks. Striker - Mahmudullah: If Mashrafe Mortaza can't stay fit, a great deal of pressure could fall on his shoulders. Like skipper Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah is a resourceful cricketer who can play the big shots but this time his off-breaks may be more important.

Pakistan

Smasher - Umar Akmal: With several big names missing and Shahid Afridi as inconsistent as ever it's time for some of the younger guns to step up. He impressed on this winter's tour of Australia and took 36 off 41 balls against England in Dubai in February. This 19-year-old is definitely one to watch. Striker - Saeed Ajmal: The absence of Umar Gul will be keenly felt so Saeed is one who will have to pick up the slack. The off-spinner could make exceptional strides in the competition providing he has sufficient variation to restrict scoring in the crucial middle overs.

Group B

New Zealand

Smasher - Brendon McCullum: By his own high standards he was having a quieter 12 months or so until the Australians arrived at Christchurch in February and he blasted 116no - proof that on his day he is still more than capable of changing a game in rapid time and taking any attack apart. Striker - Daniel Vettori: Economical and unstintingly accurate, he's a thinking-man's cricketer as a return of 31 wickets from 21 Twenty20 internationals suggests. Always on the ball, he'll make sure his team takes the battle to the opposition and weigh in with some useful runs if needed.

Sri Lanka

Smasher - Tillakaratne Dilshan: Underestimate Sri Lanka and Dilshan at your peril. If you hadn't seen him perform at Test and 50-over cricket, you'd think he's a T20 specialist. After the 'scoop', it's hard to imagine what further innovations he might come up with but don't bet against seeing something special. If there is something to try, he'll be trying it. Striker - Lasith Malinga: Goes into the tournament off the back of an impressive IPL campaign. At times he seems to have the ball on a string - straight into the base of middle and leg stumps! His is an extraordinary action that brings staggering results. Good luck scoring five off three balls to win the game against him!

Zimbabwe

Smasher - Tatenda Taibu: I can't see them springing a surprise, but there is a slight following wind behind Zimbabwe at present. Taibu - back in the fold - exemplifies this and if the former skipper can replicate some of the stroke-play he showed earlier in his career he should be exciting to watch. Striker - Ray Price: A wily veteran who knows exactly what is required and how to do it. A T20 international economy rate of 3.50 suggests the left-armer knows what it takes to strangle the life out of the middle overs and his economy will be crucial to ensure opponents don't disappear out of sight.

Group C

Afghanistan

Smasher - Nowroz Mangal: a pivotal figure who will have to inspire his troops to miracles if they are to make an impression at all in the group. With a strike-rate of over 100 the captain's no slouch with the bat - as Ireland can testify - and his off-breaks could prove useful too. Striker - Asghar Stanikzai: Like his skipper, this medium-pacer could be as effective with bat as ball. No T20 form to speak of as yet but will be hoping to announce himself on the world stage after an impressive ACC Trophy Elite campaign.

India

Smasher - Mahendra Singh Dhoni: In the absence of Virender Sehwag, expect him to lead from the front. One of the standout players of the IPL, he thrives on responsibility and his explosive batting and expert keeping is the perfect foil to the expectation heaped on his team. Striker - Zaheer Khan: A bit like Chaminda Vaas at his best, Zaheer is extremely reliable with the ball. He's got an enormous amount of cricket under his belt and has expert control. You won't see him slip in a half-tracker or bowl both sides of the wicket.

South Africa

Smasher - AB de Villiers: I've gone for de Villiers ahead of Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis and Mark Boucher (which shows what a strong line-up the Proteas have) because he looks comfortable in any form of cricket. He's an absolute natural when it comes to T20 and can rescue an innings if the top order goes or lash it around at a dozen an over off his own bat if required. Striker - Dale Steyn: A tremendous athlete who bowls as good a yorker as there is around. Extreme pace is something most sides won't have at their disposal so he could well prove South Africa's trump card when it comes to finishing off the opposition.

Group D

England

Smasher - Eoin Morgan: The most innovative of England's batsmen. His invention in a side that can be quite stereotyped is refreshing to see and, as his fantastic match-winning innings in Bangladesh showed (admittedly in 50-over cricket) he has the temperament to finish the job. Striker - Graeme Swann: England's man-of-the-moment - there doesn't seem to be any form of the game he can't excel in at present. Slow bowling will be vitally important in this competition so Swann could be central to England's chances. Don't discount his batting either in T20 cricket.

Ireland

Smasher - William Porterfield: Reliable rather than dynamic, he is capable of batting most of the 20-over innings which is what Ireland's top-order should aim for. Now he must surely aim to register his first Twenty20 international fifty in this competition. Striker - Boyd Rankin: A seamer with plenty of experience under his belt. Control and consistency are strengths but he'll have his work cut out leading the attack. Ireland are a tight unit but it will be a major surprise if they progress very far in the competition.

West Indies

Smasher - Chris Gayle: I hope for the competition that the hosts go well - but that is largely dependant on their form of their skipper. Merciless at times, his awesome stroke-play has the potential to light up an innings. Don't bet against him improving on his personal best of 117 if he's switched on. Striker - Kieron Pollard: Unlike Dwayne Bravo and Jerome Taylor, he's much more of an all-rounder than a frontline seamer. His return of a wicket a game is modest at best but his medium pace could pack a punch this time around. A player who is not to be taken lightly.