Predict the T20 2009 WC Champion

[Gurjot95]

Aussis have a good chance to win but I think the team having more young players can win this.

 

[King Pietersen]

If Australia picked a team of:

Hayden
Warner
Watson
Symonds
Hodge
Mussey/Dussey
Haddin +
Hopes
Johnson
Nannes
Bracken

They'd be almost certain to win the thing, but with guys like Clarke, Haddin and to some extent Ponting at the top of the order they're going to be somewhat easier to beat. The lack of Nannes in the bowling attack is disappointing as well. He's one of the better T20 seamers in the world, so should have been in the squad. Brad Hodge should be an automatic pick in the T20 side as well, he must have done something to really wind up the Aussie selectors.

 

[aditya123]

It's so close really.

That's what is exciting about T20, you can't really predict what is going to happen. South Africa are the favorites in my books, they were the best team in the previous cup (before they were stupidly knocked out after loosing 1 game, whilst other teams with losses got through) and I'm backing them to win, or at least do well.

But really, who knows. It could easily be anyone.

SA choked in the last tournament. It was`nt the tournament format`s fault that they did not go through.They messed it up at the most crucial stage and lost badly,thereby damaging their net run-rate irreparably.

 

[C.Gayle]

no vote yet for Australia.....looks weird

 

[King Cricket]

Key
Bopara
Pietersen
Collingwood *
Flintoff
Napier
Mascheranas
Foster +
Broad
Swann
Anderson

The English team is a dark horse. And anyway, this team you posted- it apparently looks strong but there are certain things-

1. Key- Key hasn't played intl cricket for a long time. Yes, his domestic records are fantastic- but domestic cricket and intl cricket are totally different. Not sure about how he will perform in the T-20 Cup. Might well turn out to be a flop.

2. KP- KP's a great player, and the best batsman of the team. But.... his IPL record doesn't look that nice, does it? Although, the IPL and intl cricket are totally different, still......

3. Flintoff- Same as KP. And isn't he injured?

4. Dimitri- He didn't do well in the last T-20 WC, did he? And it has been a long time since he last played any intl cricket.

5. Broad- So, are India and England in the same group?

6. Foster and Napier- Don't know anything about them. But they are yet to play any intl match...........

These 6 things might just work against England. Still, they are a force to take into account, and can turn out to be a surprise package. As I've said earlier, they are a dark horse..

 

[King Pietersen]

1- Key could be a flop, but he's been mightily impressive for Kent in T20 cricket, so I'm backing him to perform.

2. IPL and International cricket are completely different. KP's England's best player and will perform. He was very good in the last T20 WC and was pretty much England's only handy batsman in the last tournament.

3. Flintoff will be fit for the T20 WC.

4. Mascheranas did fail in the last WC with the bat, but he has played International cricket in the last few months, he played in the ODi series against West Indies, and did ok in the IPL, especially with the ball.

5. Broad > India.

6. Foster's the best out and out keeper in England, and Napier's a very handy all-rounder. Over-rated with the bat, under-rated with the ball. They'll both perform.

 

[Gurjot95]

5. Broad > India.

I hope you remember Yuvraj 6 sixes

 

[Cricketman]

5. Broad > India.

 

[aussie1st]

If Australia picked a team of:

Hayden
Warner
Watson
Symonds
Hodge
Mussey/Dussey
Haddin +
Hopes
Johnson
Nannes
Bracken

They'd be almost certain to win the thing, but with guys like Clarke, Haddin and to some extent Ponting at the top of the order they're going to be somewhat easier to beat. The lack of Nannes in the bowling attack is disappointing as well. He's one of the better T20 seamers in the world, so should have been in the squad. Brad Hodge should be an automatic pick in the T20 side as well, he must have done something to really wind up the Aussie selectors.

Haddin will be at 7 anyway so that will be the same as your side. We just have to hope Ponting watches his 1st ever T20 as that was pure class rather than slogging. Don't know how effective Hodge would be at 5, hes a guy that likes to get in but I guess if we collapse he will be in early.

Certainly would be handy to have Hayden up there though, and maybe Gilly as keeper.

 

[SaiSrini]

I feel it could again be India. We are the defending champions, plus we have the so much valuable T20 experience of the IPL just before this cup and that too in South African (overseas) conditions. Pakistan is also a big contender because they are very good in this format. Another India-Pakistan final would be just amazing for the popularity and also for the subcontinent. India can pick wickets at the top, contain big time in the middle and have the guys who suck up the pressure when its tense in the end. And led by the cool captain! This will be a test of the first kind where an Indian team will have to defend their champion status (how nice it feels, our days will also come!)

I dont think just having lot of young players would win you a World Cup. Having the right players for the format is what will win you the cup.

 

[C.Gayle]

India are the frontrunners but they have to compete Newz, Pak,Windies,SA

 

[Leggie]

LMAO. Great reply.

 

[Annoyingdevil]

S.Broad would never want to ball to Yuvraj again

 

[StinkyBoHoon]

Australia - team too inexperienced. all their best t20 players have retired from the national setup. rest of the team has skipped the IPL, this years tournament will have less of a "winging it" feel than 07 and australia may be out of their depth against more practiced countries.

Bangladesh - same old in every format. no chance.

England - have looked badly out of touch with the format. can't see them doing it.

India - definitely got the best pool of players to choose from. will they be able to make brave decisions like in '07 though. their current international setup was culled from that 07 team so it will likely feature the players we've been familiar with over the last 2 years. but could leaving ojha, jadeja, nehra and the like, proven IPL performers backfire?

Ireland - small hope, pity they don't have morgan as it would be a fairly decent team. still will struggle as no one is going to score a 25 ball 50 in their side or just go that extra inch that seperates teams.

Netherlands - no hope. though seeing nannes bowl for them will be entertaining. batting is as frail as meringue though.

Newzealand - have a few T20 experts but lack a balanced team. Taylor finding form right now might boost their chances. You feel the batting is always going to be weaker than the bowling but they should be solid.

Pakistan - blessed with some of the best t20 players in the world. maybe a bit out of nick not playing the IPL but killing australia put rest to the idea that the game had moved away from them. probably the best bowling line-up in the tournament if they're on form. outside bet but their stars will have to hit the heights.

Scotland - clear favourites. new captain will provide this unit of men a renewed sense of belief and it's unlikely anyone will be able to stop the slaughter when their batsmen take to the crease.

Southafrica - ab and duminy are in great form. smith, gibbs, prince, botha, their line-up is quite tasty. probably the best balanced side in tournament. of course being south african means they will be vulnerable to inexplicable batting collapses and heinous bad luck so I wouldn't put them as clear favourites.

Srilanka - should definitely improve on last editions performance. Jaya and murali have got the hang of the format, malinga is bowling like a demon, dilshan is really finding form. not bad when your biggest form worries are sangakkara, jayawardene two of the best batsmen in the world. they just need to fill the gaps intelligently. whether that's with youthful enthusiasm (matthews, udwatte) or more reliable players from the international cricuit (kandamby, samaraweera) I don't know but it could be crucial.

Westindies - look horrible right now in england but they have looked at ease in this format. Gayle remains the only man to have 100 in international games in t20 and the reason for that is he's made for it and will take the game away from anyone. bowlers are solid, fielding has looked good, if only in the shorter formats (because it's been crap in the tests) and there is just enough batting their to threaten, though I hope they go with someone other than lendl simmons opening. he's definitely a potential in the test team but too slow for limited over cricket.

 

[Aoun13]

Excellent over view by StinkyBoHoon