Wednesday, June 10, 2009

A Look at Group E of the World T20 Super 8s

India, South Africa, England, West Indies

These are the teams that make up Group E of the ICC World Twenty20.

In which world is it fair that 3 teams, that topped their groups in round 1, end up in the same group in the next round?

The ICC World apparently.

Here's a look at the 4 teams.

India, started the tournament as favorites and surely look like one.

The absence of Sehwag has made no difference to their explosive batting line up; Rohit Sharma has been as attacking, if not more, than Sehwag.

Gambhir has come back to form thanks to Pakistan; Yuvraj is in his element; but the rest of the batting may be a slight worry.

Dhoni has not worked at 3, Raina has not had any substantial outings, while YP has continued his lack of form since the IPL and has looked more like Afridi with every innings.

Their bowling, on the other hand, has been top stuff. Ishant and Zaheer are one of the best fast bowling pairs going around, while the strategy to play 2 spinners in Harbajhan and Ojha has worked wonders.

I don't see them having any trouble getting past England and West Indies; though South Africa will give them tough competition.

Q's Call: Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1


South Africa, the other favorites tipped to win the cup by many.

Smith, Kallis, Gibbs, De Villiers, Duminy, A. Morkel, Boucher, Van Der Merwe to me is the strongest batting line up in the World T20. Even stronger than India's.

Moreover, they are all in form.

On the bowling front, Steyn has been in top gear; Parnell has done a wonderful job; Ntini has hardly been missed.

Botha and VD have executed the spin duties exceptionally well and provide the variety to their attack that has been non-existent in the past.

They will be the toughest to beat in this Group, but since they are the eternal chokers, I see a surprise for them in store from the West Indies.

Q's Call: Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1


England, the ones that lost to the Dutch

Their win against Pakistan was more about how Pakistan played rather than how they did.

Wright, Bopara, KP, and Shah have shown good aggressive signs with the bat but it won't be enough in front of the likes of India, South Africa, and a Chris Gayle looking to prove a point to England.

Their bowling is hardly the sort that would trouble any of them.

I don't see them winning a single game in the Super 8s.

Q's Call: Played 3, Won 0, Lost 3


West Indies, the dark horses (no pun intended) that crashed Australia's party,

Their fate depends heavily on Chris Gayle. If he fires they will be hard to beat; if he fails they will be pushovers.

Gayle typically fires once in 3 tries, but England will be an exception since he has a point to prove.

His 1 out 3 innings aggression will come at the expense of the South Africa, just because such is their luck.

Taylor and Edwards hold the key to their bowling but they are as capable of being slapped around as they are at picking up wickets.

Benn should have been a key bowler for them but surprisingly he has failed to up a wicket yet.

Q's Call: Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1


So then, who makes the semi finals from here?

My call before the tournament began was India and South Africa.

My calls here mean that they, along with the West Indies, will end up on the same number of points; hence the net run rate will determine who qualifies.

When that happens, we can be sure that South Africa will manage to mess it up and not qualify.

NOTE: My Calls stand at 8-3, Wrong to Right as of now

Make your pitch on this post...



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10 Pitched:

  1. SledgeHammer said...
     

    @Q: The pre-seeding in WC 2007 made sense since everyone played each other.

    In this tournament, it makes no sense whatsoever.

    Also as illogical as this was the fact that Pakistan, who finished #2 in its group, had to play India, who finished #3 in their group, in India in WC 1996.

  2. Wasim said...
     

    I think India will for sure qualify for the semis but I am not too sure about SA after watching their performance against NZ.

    They depend too heavily on Smith.
    I think if WI or England gave their 100% they can beat SA.

    India can only lose chasing, if any team in their group gave them a target of 180+ you will see them struggle.

  3. Q said...
     

    Sledge,

    I agree with it making sense in 07. Not here.

    How did 1996 work out again?

    It was quarter finals right?

    4 teams from each group qualify..

    A1 plays B4
    B1 vs B4
    A2 vs B3
    B2 vs A3

    That made sense right?

    apart from the fact that the higher placed team didn't get a home game? is that wat u mean?

  4. Q said...
     

    Wasim,

    Thats why I've said WI will qualify, not SA.

    I don't think 180+ is enough for India's batting line up.. atleast 200.

  5. Wasim said...
     

    Q

    I know you also discounted the saffers, I suspect this group will have some dog fights, as all four teams are quite balanced and are fully capable of beating each other.

  6. Anonymous said...
     

    After last nights' match, minus Chris Gayle, I think the W.I are in with a good chance, but one never knows which team will turn up on the day...the Easy Beats or the the Real Team.

    Trini Speak.

  7. donthaveaclue said...
     

    England's gonna be chirpier just by virtue of the Aussie elimination. I tip them to win atleast 1 if not 2 games. India will be troubled by all the three pace attacks, Rohit Sharma has had it good so far against a couple of pop gun attacks, but I doubt he'll be getting good length offerings in the Super Eights.

  8. Q said...
     

    Wasim,

    I don't think England can win anything.. maybe KP can get fired up for SA, but SA are too strong.

  9. Q said...
     

    Anonymous,

    Welcome to Well Pitched.

    WI depends entirely on Gayle. He'll be back though for the Super 8 games.

  10. Q said...
     

    don,

    Maybe the saffers can trouble Rohit, but I don't see Eng or WI troubling him..

    If u noticed against Ireland, Rohit was playing it calm and slow and not going after everything.. I believe that was practice to play slightly more watchfully against the better attacks..

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