ICC T20 World Cup Preview

The fourth T20 World Cup gets underway tomorrow when hosts Sri Lanka face Zimbabwe in Group C. Here is a preview of each group and team with a prediction of how I believe they will do in this year’s tournament.

Conditions: Dry pitches, which are expected to provide assistance for the spinners. Dew at night could make chasing easier as the ball will be harder to grip and cause problems in the outfield. Small boundaries could mean scores of around 170-180 are around par.

Group A

England

The defending champions have lots to live up to after their splendid performances in the Caribbean in the last T20 World Cup. This time around it is a more youthful looking England squad, with the likes of Buttler, Kieswetter, Briggs and Hales. The team is packed with potential and has a good balance of experience with the inexperienced. Stuart Broad captains the side and will take charge of England for the first time in a major tournament; Broad has matured well over the last couple of years and has potential to take this England team to the final. The big hitting Morgan and Bairstow are in the squad, so I would expect some big totals in the two group games against Afghanistan and India. Spin bowlers are going to be key throughout this tournament, so the experienced Graeme Swann alongside Danny Briggs should give England some options in the bowling department, especially with specialist death seam bowler Jade Dernbach. One of the problems with this squad is potential inexperience in Sub-Continent conditions.

India

Batting could be key for the Indian team, especially with the return of Yurvaj Singh from illness. Other batsmen will add key runs and hit boundaries when necessary to build pressure on their opponents. The conditions for the bowlers will be crucial; expect them to play lots of spinners, as there is not a natural pace bowler in their squad. Harbhajan Singh is back in the squad could be one the leading wicket takers in this format and in these conditions.

Afghanistan

Unknown quantity, could cause a few problems, but shouldn't progress out of the group. Have nothing to lose or fear could give either opposition a challenge. Could be a force to be reckoned with in the future once they gain more international experience. In their played matches they have been inconsistent, but have a range of talent from the explosive batting of Karim Shadiq, whilst legspinner Samiullah Shenwari could prove a test to the opposition and reducing the scoring rate.

Verdict: England vs India will decide who will top the group, which I think England will win. Therefore, England to top the group.

Group B

West Indies

Favourites to win the tournament but captain Darren Sammy has played down their chances. Chris Gayle opening the batting, will be expected to get them off to a fast start with his six-hitting powers, other big hitting players include Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo. With the bowling department looking bare, they are hopeful that Sunil Narine, will take the wickets, with his tricky spin deliveries. The Windies will need to be good in the field, if they are going to go far in the tournament, look out for Kieron Pollard in the deep.

Australia

The Baggie Greens haven't been as good in this format of the game. I feel they will struggle to make it out of the group due to their reliance of the two openers Shane Watson and David Warner. If these two players open well and get Australia off to a good start then they may be a challenge for any opposition, especially with the talent of Mitchell Starc in their bowling attack, who has been a success in international cricket. Starc has had a successful T20 warm-up in the Friends Life T20, over in England, playing for Yorkshire who finished runners-up in the competition. Usually good in the field should mean George Bailey's team restrict their opponents.

Ireland

Have taken the scalps of the commonly known nations before and I feel that they will reach the Super 8 stage of the tournament. With emerging talent and ICC Associate and Affiliate Cricketer of the Year George Dockrell, in there squad then they have a bowler who can take wickets and slow the progress of their opponents. They do have big hitters in the team in the form of the O'Brien brothers, Kevin and Niall, as well as Paul Stirling. I fully expect Ireland to be the dark horses of the tournament.

Verdict: West Indies are favourites to win the tournament, them and Ireland to progress, against an Australian team not to favour T20 cricket.

Group C

Sri Lanka

Home conditions and the home crowd could provide a lift to the hosts and it gives then knowledge of conditions during the day/night matches, like if to bat first. I feel the Sri Lankan squad is the strongest out of all teams. The death bowling of Lasith Malinga, with his yorkers are going to cause trouble to any batsmen, no matter how good they are, however his recent form has left a lot to be desired. The cool, calm captaincy of Mahela Jayawardene will help in high pressure situations to make the suitable decisions depending on the circumstances. Sri Lanka have one of the most stable and consistent top orders in World T20 cricket with Dilshan playing all sorts of outrageous shots to hit meaningful runs, alongside Dilshan there is Mathews and Chandimal, with Perera's big hitting.

South Africa

Strong performances in their recent series to end their summer tour to England, with Hashim Amla impressing in all forms, so expect him to be in contention for leading runs corer in the tournament. The Proteas have one of the strongest pace attacks in the tournament with Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, but worryingly is the lack of spin options in these conditions with dry and slow wickets. Batting strength and the ability to hit quick runs is in the South African squad with the likes of AB De Villiers, Albie Morkel and Jacques Kallis, one of the strongest all-rounders in the tournament.

Zimbabwe

They can pull off a shock, just like they did in the inaugural T20 World Cup with victory over Australia. Unfortunately I feel they aren't as strong as they used to be following the retirement of Tatenda Taibu. This squad lacks international experience and may be too reliant on Captain Brendan Taylor hitting the runs, whilst left arm spinner Ray Price takes the wickets.

Verdict: Sri Lanka and South Africa to both beat Zimbabwe, but expect them to be close matches. However I feel South Africa will have a point to prove after not previously leaving up to expectations, so I expect them to top the group despite playing the hosts.

Group D

Pakistan

My favourites for the tournament, this is because they have reached the final twice, only winning the trophy once back in 2009. The main advantage for Pakistan is the balance of their squad. They have a quality bowling attack with Umar Gul at the death, whilst Saeed Ajmal restricts opponents in the middle overs. Sohail Tanvir's unorthodox bowling action could cause problems for opposition batsmen not used to his delivery action. The experience of 'Boom Boom' Afridi, when batting could increase the run rate; whilst his bowling will help to take crucial wickets with his bowling prowess and knowledge. This is a team to watch closely in the groups to see if they are potential challengers to take back their crown.

New Zealand

Usually dependant on Brendon McCullum's batting has been the Kiwi's downfall. Other players around him, like Captain Ross Taylor and Jacob Oram need to stand up and be counted, if New Zealand have a chance of going further than the Super 8's. The spin bowling experience of Daniel Vettori could be crucial, as he knows which deliveries will cause the batsmen trouble and he can claim a wicket or two in this tournament. Young Tim Southee is the key fast bowler for New Zealand, if he opens the bowling well, during the Powerplay overs then New Zealand have a chance. One problem that may play on their minds is the fact they falter on the major stage.

Bangladesh

They are a young side, who play without fear and could upset teams if they make it past the group stage. They will provide tricky opposition to South Africa and New Zealand, these will be tight matches. I wouldn't be surprised to see Bangladesh in the Super 8 stage. Tamim Iqbal at the top of the order is likely to throw his bat at most deliveries, in an attempt to get them off to a good start, if he fails Mohammed Ashraful will steady the ship, but he hasn't been too consistent on the major stage. Shakib Al Hasan's all round abilities with bat and ball could be crucial for this Bangladesh side.

Verdict: Tightest out of the four groups. Pakistan to top the group and for me win back the trophy from England. New Zealand are ranked higher than Bangladesh, but I personally believe that Bangladesh will beat Ross Taylor's men and take second spot to progress to the Super 8's Stage.

Overall Verdict: Pakistan to beat South Africa in the final, with England and India being the other two semi-finalists.