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World T20 Cricket: Tournament begins in Sri Lanka
ICC WORLD TWENTY20
- Hosts: Sri Lanka
- Dates: 18 September to 7 October
Coverage: Ball-by-ball Test Match Special commentary on BBC 5 live sports extra and BBC Radio 4 LW & via BBC Sport website on majority of matches; live text commentary on BBC Sport website & mobiles
The fourth ICC World Twenty20 begins on Tuesday when the hosts Sri Lanka take on Zimbabwe in Hambantota (15:00 BST).
Twelve teams start the tournament with the top two from each group of three progressing to the Super Eights, and the final being played on 7 October.
Defending champions and world number one side England, led by Stuart Broad, face Afghanistan on Friday and India on Sunday in Group A.
World Twenty20 groups
Group A: England, India, Afghanistan
Group B: Australia, West Indies, Ireland
Group C: Sri Lanka, South Africa, Zimbabwe
Group D: Pakistan, New Zealand, Bangladesh
Ireland take on Australia on Wednesday and West Indies on Monday in Group B.
England go into the tournament with growing confidence after drawing the Twenty20 series with South Africa and beating Australia in a warm-up match on Monday.
Without the out-of-favour Kevin Pietersen, the man of the tournament when England won the last tournament in the Caribbean in 2010, Broad's side will hope the innovative Eoin Morgan can fill the gap in the batting.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Craig Kieswetter opened in 2010 with Michael Lumb, but this will be the first major tournament for the big-hitting Alex Hales, Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler.
England have a balanced bowling attack, with Broad, Jade Dernbach, Tim Bresnan and Steven Finn providing the swing and seam, while Graeme Swann, Samit Patel and left-armer Danny Briggs providing the spin that could prove crucial on Sri Lanka's slow, turning wickets.
"We're confident," said Broad. "We've got some talented players here, and played some really good Twenty20 cricket in the past year. We've got matchwinners in the side."
England's World T20 record
2007: Lost all three matches in Super Eight stage and were knocked out
2009: Won one and lost two in Super Eight stage and were knocked out
2010: Beat Australia in the final to win their first-ever ICC limited overs trophy
Ireland face Australia on Wednesday seeking to show why they are ranked above the 2010 runners-up.
William Porterfield's side beat England in the last 50-over World Cup and have in the O'Brien brothers, Niall and Kevin, two batsmen capable of taking on any bowling attack.
"The guys have done it in World Cups before. People have underestimated Ireland and often come unstuck," said fast bowler Tim Murtagh.
Sri Lanka, with home advantage, have high hopes of winning the tournament for the first time.
"We are one of the favourites but we are part of the pack that if we get into a good momentum could go all the way," said captain Mahela Jayawardene.
"Sri Lanka is a cricket-crazy country and the expectations are high."
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka in 2009 final (UK only)
Along with newly crowned cricketer of the year Kumar Sangakkara , Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan will do damage with the bat, while Sri Lanka can also call on talented all-rounders Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera.
Fast bowler Lasith Malinga and unorthodox spinner Ajantha Mendis complete a formidable line-up.
India, winners of the inaugural event in 2007, are also strongly fancied given the experience their team have gained from playing in the Indian Premier League.
They are the reigning 50-over world champions and in Mahendra Dhoni have an inspirational captain while batsman Yuvraj Singh has battled back from cancer to take his place in the team.
West Indies have also been touted as potential champions, with explosive batsmen in Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard and Marlon Samuels, and a wily spinner in Sunil Narine, while South Africa, 2009 winners Pakistan and Australia all have strong sides that could challenge for the title.
England, West Indies, Sri Lanka and New Zealand are seeded to meet in group one of the Super Eights with arch-rivals India and Pakistan seeded to face Australia and South Africa in Group B.
The women's tournament starts on 26 September with the semi-finals and final taking place before the men's matches. Australia will be defending the title they won in 2010.
Watch Gayle's six sixes against Australia (UK users only)
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Comment number 36.
DrCajetanCoelho19th September 2012 - 20:09
T20 is a tricky affair. There are no minnows as such in this form of cricket. The 450 over 5 day Test match or the 100 over ODI are different ball games. Ireland, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh are capable of imparting some shock treatment. Wishing all participating cricketers, match officials, fans, organizers, media and Team TMS an exciting time in the Emerald Islands.
Dr. Cajetan Coelho
Link to this (Comment number 36)
Comment number 35.
SidneyBarnes18th September 2012 - 17:24
In defence of Broad, agree he hasn't played well 2012 but his limited over record is a fine one. He's taken the most international T20 wickets of English players bar Swann, and his wickets/game and strike rate are excellent for ODIs as well. His batting's iffy because England don't allow him enough games; but on a roll he can mow through sides with the ball. Plus, he's tough in a corner.
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Comment number 34.
Maxtor18th September 2012 - 15:03
#33 Paiul. No but this fixtures are drawn out over a long time. The format means you can play 2 or even 3 games in a day. I hope and pray there are some shocks but just wished there was more action. Let afghanistan and other smaller countries play but to have it as main game of the day is just crazy.
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Comment number 33.
Paul18th September 2012 - 14:58
@Dunkeld. You're an idiot. Your plan has a total of 69 games whereas the current set up is 27 games. How do you envisage Sri Lanka adding 42 games to the cup?
@Maxtor. So you don't believe the lesser nations should play the so called top elite countries? How do they improve? They've qualified and therefore deserve their shot in the world cup.
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Comment number 32.
Maxtor18th September 2012 - 14:28
What a joke the fixtures are. The tournament really starts in October 1st when the semi finals start. The first group stage is a joke. You dont need mystic meg to discover who will go though. Likewise with super 8s.
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Comments 5 of 36