TOPIC:

I know many people on this forum don't like T20 cricket but this is an event happening in Australia over the next 4 weeks so thought Id start a thread. There has already been an upset in the qualifying tournament with Namibia beating Sri Lanka, these things can happen in the shorter game.
As for the tournament proper which starts on Saturday, I think England look like they are a very good all round side. India and Pakistan can never be discounted and New Zealand are always competitive in these tournaments.
As for the defending champs, I think the Aussies will be lucky to make the semis at this stage. They have too many guys in the team who are being picked on their reputations and are not performing. FInch, Maxwell, Stoinis, Wade. It appears to me to be an old mates club with guys like Cam Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Inglis and Josh Phillipe who have shown some real form at T20 level are not given a chance. Tim David has already played a few useful knocks and shown that he will be a handy finisher. When will the selectors realise that Steve Smith, whilst a great test and 50 over batsman is not suited to this format?
Anyway there will be some generational change after this tournament with Finch and Wade retiring. 

The modern reality is this T20 format now finances the game , globally.And is the way for Cricket to break into non Cricket countrys.Its already the second highest rating sport on tv behind Soccer.
Sure CA made a mess of our Big Bash.And almost had Channel 7 sue them, for there mismanagement of the Men's Big Bash Game.
Australia where more competitive in game 2+3 V England.With our best bowlers selected.We are still experiential in our squad.We where no chance last time and won.
Warners in great knick
Cummings is fantastic at this format
Zampa is a gun Leg Spinner in T20
Mitch Marsh is a freak
Stoinis and David are great batman .Marcus is also a good 6th bowler.
Wade doesn't appear to be batting well ,bring in Alex Carey.
England look very balanced.
Nz always up thereI
ndia have injuries but will be competitive
With luck Sri Lanka, Pakistan and the West Indies will be dangerous.
South Africa are always the hardest to predict.Normally under perform in T20 and 50 over World Cups but win everything in between,thoes tournaments.

Interestingly GTR both Sri Lanka & West Indies have been knocked off by minnows (Namibia & Scotland respectively) in the qualifying stage.
I favour either India, England or NZ in this T20 WC.
Australia have picked a team of out of form veterans some in Finch, Wade, Maxwell who have gone on for too long!

BH I'm watching Ireland Vs Zimbabwe.Dont think either of these nations are good enough to play competitive Test Cricket.+Nambia and Scotland.There quiet decent at T20.

BH do have any thoughts on Tim David.Dont think he has the technical ability to play high level Red Ball Cricket.But a great story from Singapore/Big Bash/Australia T20.

It's a sellout in 16 minutes.
India Vs Pakistan at the McG Saturday night.

Will be interesting to see how the team performs against New Zealand on Saturday. They lost 6 for 9 when they were comfortably chasing down Indias score. Only a warm up game but doesnt fill me with confidence that they are in the groove. At least Finch made a few runs but his dismissal triggered the collapse.
Meanwhile the upsets continue in the qualifying tournament with the Scots thrashing the West Indies.

Definitely the wrong attitude to take, but kinda hoping Aust don't make the semi finals, can't believe the stubbornness of the selectors here......Finch of course will make a score here and there, but geez his go slow approach piles pressure on the middle order......Smith is just not a T20 player, despite his batting prowess.....don't see Root anywhere near the Eng T20 side. Maxi is and always be hit n miss......sadly the latter of late......bowling wise the big 3 baggy blues will always be first choice on name alone.....how Ellis isn't in the starting  11 I will  never know.....fingers crossed he gets a run, to prove the selectors wrong.

 

In this format, there is only one side in it if a team wins the toss and bats well. I am unsure why the selectors are wasting the fast bowlers in an exhibition competition.

Holland need 100 of the last 10 overs V Sri Lanka.Hope they can do it for Ryan Campbell.Does look like a big ask against a first world cricket nation like Sri Lanka 
 

Netherlands couldnt get over the line against Sri Lanka but they have been given a lifeline by the UAE who beat Namibia.
There has been some great cricket in the qualifying round including Scotland beating the West Indies and Irelands exciting run chase. Unfortunately the tournament proper threatens to literally turn into damp squib with the Australian game and the India v Pakistan encounter threatened by the rain band enveloping the eastern states on the weekend.