Monday, June 1, 2009

Why New Zealand Have a Chance at the ICC World Twenty20 and England Doesn't

No one has talked about them being favorites, nor has anyone talked about them being walkovers. I believe the Kiwis have it in them to be contenders for the ICC World Twenty20 title, while England stand no chance in hell.

Here are my reasons why.
  1. New Zealand have always done well in ICC branded tournaments; World Cups especially. The semi finals are a given whenever the Kiwis start such a competition.

    England on the other hand will make it an achievement if they get to the Super 8s. They haven't gone too far in any of the ICC tournaments since 1992.

  2. England are still learning the art of playing ODIs. It will take them some time to get their focus on an even more abridged version of the game.

    For New Zealand though, it comes naturally - ODIs, T20s, piece of cake.

  3. In Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder, Brendon McCullum, and Daniel Vettori, the Kiwis have 4 destructive players who on their day can single handedly win a 20-20 game.

    Besides KP, England don't really have anyone who can do the same.

  4. While Andy Moles is talking about all the thought that has gone into New Zealand's preparations for the T20 world cup; Andy Flower is busy wondering why his team doesn't have a Flintoff, why he's working with a 3rd captain in 6 months, and why his team is so poor at T20.

  5. England first have to contend with Pakistan and the Netherlands; if they get past them, then they have the small task of getting past India, Australia, and South Africa if they want to get to the semis.

    Yeah, doesn't look likely, does it?

    For New Zealand however, it looks like a cakewalk with Scotland and South Africa first, and then Pakistan, West Indies / Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh / Ireland next.

    As I said, piece of cake!

New Zealand will always be tough competition in a tournament like the 20-20 world cup, but they need something more than that to actually win the title. Maybe this is their time in favorable English conditions.

For England, even the favorable home conditions won't be of any help!


Make your pitch on this post...



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10 Pitched:

  1. Stani Army said...
     

    Someone out of NZ is paying you Q.....with free prime cuts of Lamb.

    Either that or your hoping we all bet on them while you're free to bet on the real favourites .....Bangladesh, and walk away with all the money. Clever

  2. Late Inswing said...
     

    The Kiwis have been the perennial semi-finalist/bridesmaid at ICC/World Cups, except for the one occasion when Chris Cairns got them over the line in Nairobi.

    For T20 they seem to have adequate firepower to make it to the last four - only one of Taylor/Ryder/McCullum has to fire.

    I have been reading your forecasts for each team.Great work dude.

  3. Viswanathan said...
     

    Q,

    Whose side are you on? :)

  4. Q said...
     

    Stani: just thought I'd be nice to the kiwis cos they mentioned me on radio ;-)

    Nah.. I do think they have a chance.. some very good players in there!

  5. Q said...
     

    Late Inswing: Thanks for the comment.. glad that you like what u read.

    Just hopped over to your blog.. will read it in more detail after this and will blog roll you.

  6. Q said...
     

    Ott: you will find out soon enough.. i'm unraveling the mystery slow and easy ;-)

  7. Anonymous said...
     

    Agreed 200%

  8. Fark said...
     

    Q , bang on man. The warm up game yesterday shows why the black caps are a dangerous team, ready to pounce when they smell blood.

    farkandfunk.wordpress.com

  9. Q said...
     

    Sam: :-)

  10. Q said...
     

    Fark: and they're pushing the Aussies right now!

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