Sri Lanka on track to go deep if batting fires, but an India- Pakistan final will be explosive. BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor)
My prediction of a T20 World Cup packed with surprises in my preview, was on track so far, and indications point that there’s to more to come before the winner is decided.
Right now, the unpredictable tracks in India and Sri Lanka have rattled the best as they struggle to negotiate the pace and turn, and the batters have proved to be the most susceptible.
Ireland’s 235 for 5 against Oman is the highest total in both host countries with Sri Lanka’s 225 for 5, also against Oman, the second highest in facinating contests dominated by bowlers and where the word ‘minnows’ doesn’t fit world cricket anymore.
Zimbabwe and West Indies have been the surprise entrants to the last eight of this edition of the World Cup and I’m pretty certain that the shocks will continue.
The mighty Australians were humbled by Zimbabwe at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo chasing what seemed like an under par total, then Sri Lanka delivered the killer blow to eliminate them from the business end on the back of a Pathum Nissanka master-class performance in Pallekelle.
While Australia’s exit was shocking, the assertion that they picked the best team for this important assignment is questionable.
There was enough pointers from the recently concluded Big Bash at home that clearly suggested the in-form players were overlooked. Glaringly Steve Smith and Jye Richardson, Sam Harper, Scott Boland and a few others. The selectors opted for past experience over current form. It was a heavy price to pay.
No matter what anyone says, there’s no shortage of talent in Australia. Just the selectors inability to pick the right combinations.
Smith in particular would have been an asset to stand in skippers Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head with his street smarts and unorthodox out of the box thinking that would have been invaluable.
Filling in gaps for preferred skipper Pat Cummins, Josh Hazelwood and recently retired T20 tearaway Mitchell Stark halves the Aussies potential so the backups were not upto desired expectations. Australia’s spinners were also a failure in slower, lower subcontinental tracks. The combinations were also questionable.
Interestingly Australia have not beaten the Zimbabweans in the white ball format losing their first one-dayer in 1983, they then were shocked by the South African nation in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007.
So bragging rights go to Zimbabwe until the Aussies find a way to unravel a bogey team.
The Englishmen received a scare from Nepal before scampering to a 4-run win, debutantes Italy take back fond memories of a shocking win over Associate member Netherlands, USA pushed defending champion India, while the game between South Africa and Afghanistan was probably the pick of them all. South Africa battled though two Super Overs before edging out the fiery never-say-die Afgans by 7 runs.
With the group stage done, Sri Lanka now focus on recent Nemesis England on February 22 in Pallekelle where they were trounced 3-0.
They have New Zealand in Colombo on February 25 and Pakistan in Pallekelle on February 28 in their quest to negotiate their way to the final in Ahmedabad, India.
Right now, the body language suggests they can overcome anyone. But the key lies in their batters who have not found consistency for a considerable period.
The performance against Australia proved that they can overcome the best if the batting fires.
If they are able to clear that hurdle, India stands between them and a second T20 World Cup.
The hot topic though is can Pakistan find a way to the final if India make it through too?. It will be a humdinger if it occurs.
India, South Africa, England, New Zealand and Pakistan are the favourites to clinch this edition on firm. But in this format, anything is possible, and Sri Lanka with home ground advantage before the final, and an energised West Indies loom as possible spoilsports to the bookies predictions.
The Super eights begin in Colombo when New Zealand play Pakistan in what could be an indicator to what will unfold.
