ICC World T20: The Contenders - Part 1

The ICC World T20 Championship is right around the corner. Everybody is busy putting the finishing touches on their preparations as they descend on the Emerald Isle of Sri Lanka. We are busy whetting our appetites for what should be a closely contested tournament, and muttering prayers under our breaths for the rain Gods to have some mercy and let the games actually begin. The scheduling of such a major tournament in an island nation, in the middle of monsoon can only be termed extremely hopeful at best, but that’s the way the cookie seemingly crumbles (or gets soaked.. whatever). In any case, we’ll be taking a look at the top contenders for the crown this year as we count down the days to the start of the 4th edition of the ICC World T20 Championships. Let’s start with the teams topping the World Cricket rankings: England and South Africa.

England – The Defending Champions

Will Kevin Pietersen be missed in this line-up?

England, the defending Champions from the 2010 edition would start as one of the hot favourites in this edition of the ICC World T20 Championships. Their major strength comes from the momentum they will be carrying into the tournament. ICC T20 in 2010 was in many ways, a turning point for the English team, then captained by Paul Collingwood. Since that time, they have won the Ashes in Australia, whitewashed India, had a good tour of Sri Lanka and are coming off a well fought series against South Africans. Their Emirate sting may have been a low note, but there is no undermining the team that stands as World #1 in ODIs and #2 in Tests and T20.

Ever since splitting the captaincy between the three formats (becoming the first team to do so), England have gone from strength to strength. Specialist players like Craig Kieswetter, Ravi Bopara and Jade Dernbach lend solidity to the line up headed by Stuart Broad. Graeme Swann, one of the two best off spinners in the world is a big big threat in any format, and the spin friendly wickets of Sri Lanka would definitely aid his craft. Eoin Morgan will be a key player in the middle order, and will have to deliver the goods for England to be in with a chance to defend their title. Tim Bresnan, who impressed in the ODI World cup will also have a role to play, should England feel the need for a fast bowling all rounder.

The catch with England, as has been for quite some time now, is Kevin Pietersen, or his absence, as it were. A lot of credit for England’s ascension must go to Pietrsen’s explosive batting. His dominating presence on the crease will be sorely missed, but the controversial distractions that come as a package deal, surely won’t. England will be faced with questions about their contract policies that led to Pietersen’s initial exclusion, at different points in the tournament, especially because of KP’s presence in the media box, a move which has rumoured to have angered ECB. Coach Andy Flower will have a tough job on his hands to keep all the off-field distractions strictly off the field, and get his contingent to perform at their best in their bid to become the first ever repeat T20 Champions.

South Africa – The Perennial Dark Horses

Hashim Amla has been in sublime form, scoring boundaries at will

The Proteas will once again start as one of the favourites to win the Championship, and will once again be asked the same old questions that have haunted them for decades. Yes, the ones about the ‘C-word’. Ever since their comeback to international cricket, the South Africans have been a formidable force, almost too good to fail in the number of tournaments they have not won. Yet they have found novel ways to do exactly that. The mandate this time, is clearer than ever. They are the No. 1 ranked team in Tests and T20s, and were only marginally edged out of the triple crown in the ODI rankings. There is no room for error.

One look at the South African squad, and the only thing that hits you, is that they really don’t need ‘specialists’ for this form of the game. Hashim Amla is in sublime touch, scoring boundaries at will. Jacques Kallis is the epitome of adaptability and re-invention in the modern game. Of today’s players, Kallis is the most complete cricketer around, and has affected the biggest transformation in his game just to make it suitable for this super short format. The fact that he can practically walk in to any team as a batsman, or a bowler or even a slip fielder is no mean fact, and nearing the end of his career, he would definitely be anxious to add some gold to his trophy cabinet. Holding the batting together is the explosive captain AB DeVilliers. His single handed match winning abilities need no introduction. Bowlers around the world know exactly how unmanageable he can be due to his fearless and unorthodox ways, and can turn games around in a matter of an over. Players like JP Duminy, Francois DuPlessis, Colin Ingram need to step up and build innings around these kingpins. The surprise package of Richard Levi needs to be used sparingly, as although he can be an impact player at the top of the order, he was found wanting against spin in the IPL, and can easily backfire.

The bowling is often a neglected area in T20s, but when a team boasts of an attack that opens with Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, most of us would prefer to just shut up and stare in awe. Especially in a 20 over game, which often hinges around a couple of overs at the beginning that can wreck an innings before it can get started or a couple at the death to derail a strong beginning. And with options like Johan Botha, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Robin Peterson or Wayne Parnell, the middle overs don’t look like a cakewalk either. Combine that with the highest standards South African teams have traditionally upheld in the field, and you understand why they are the perennial dark horses of any competition.

Like many previous occasion, all the ingredients are in place yet again. All it needs is a dash of the maverick spirit, and a hint of good fortune to get South Africa their first World T20 championship.