TWENTY20 MADNESS

Not many expected it, but the T20 World Cup is, so far, turning out to be a huge success that journalists and former players are already talking about more T20 games being introduced into the International Cricket calendar. It is a format that is gaining in popularity, and I wouldn't be surprised if all the cricket-playing started introducing it into their domestic circuits. There have been decent crowds in almost every game, and they have been treated to some awesome high-powered action, and that not only from the bat. There have been close games, superb individual performances, and major upsets. Here are some views on the tournament so far.


IT'S NOT ALL 'BANG BANG'

There were many who objected about this new format of the game, about it being a format where players will just have the view to hit every ball from the word go. Not much skill would be required and bowlers will "die a thousand deaths" according to Daryll Cullinan.

I do not however feel that it is all high-powered action from the bat only. There have been instances where the ball has been the deciding factor in some games, and if you have been watching the games you will see that when the batsman swings wildly most of the time they end up sending the ball straight up in the air. Pacemen have resorted to either banging the ball short of a length, or going for good low yorkers. Spinners have been tough to hit out as well. Of course you will get at least one good innings in the match that has a strike rate of over 150, but its not definitely a batsman's game. The Batsman is under constant pressure to score at more than a run a ball, and a wicket or even a dot ball has a greater effect on the the batting team than in most 50 over games.

The way you play T20 is definitely different from ODI and Test matches, but it is definitely not mindless and has proven to be very entertaining indeed. Even the weaker teams have managed to thrill crowds.


POINTS TO PONDER, FOR PUNTER

Before the tournament began, Ricky Ponting said that it was a format that shouldn't be taken too seriously and that teams should just go off and have fun. After losing to Zimbabwe, he said that Australia were "not mentally prepared" and that they have to take the game more seriously.

He got that right.


SANGAKKARA IS SMART, BUT...

Kumar Sangakkara is never short of words when he hears any form of sledging from the opposition. But sometimes I disagree with some things he says. Like when the time Sri Lanka rested Vaas and Murali during the Super eight game against Australia in the World Cup, he said that they were rested because it wasn't an important game and that their earlier game against Bermuda was more important. Really?

Before the tournament, Sri Lanka had two warm up games, one with South Africa and then with Pakistan of which they lost the latter. Sangakkara said that they weren't too worried about that loss because it was just a practice game. I never heard of anyone not taking a practice game that lightly.
Sri Lanka eventually lost to Pakistan in the second round of the tournament.


SANATH, BRILLIANT BUT INCONSISTENT

With his first two innings, he made half centuries, but then followed them up with scores of 5 and 0. He has always been inconsistent. In the first three matches of the World Cup, he had scores of 22, 109 and then 6. Sri Lanka has shown that their batting relies heavily on Sanath in T20. If Lanka are to progress to the next round either Sanath has to go back to making runs, or Lanka will have to find a way to not be overdependant on Sanath.



SPECIALISTS, YOUNG GUNS AND WHAT FAVORITES?

England packed their team with T20 specialists. It didn't seem to be working well for them. India and Pakistan have young teams, India struggles a bit while Pakistan are (technically) unbeaten so far. Australia were the favorites, but they lost to Zimbabwe.

Moral of the story? I really don't know; We are yet to find out what encapsulates a perfect T20 team.



IT's A TIE! NOW FOR A PENALTY SHOOT-OUT

The game between India and Pakistan was the most anticipated, and so far has been the best game of the tournament. Ideally I think it should have just ended with both teams sharing the points, but the creators of the format decided to inject some extra bit of fun and we witnessed an interesting and comical bowl-out.

Many are against the idea of a bowl-out, even the Indian captain, but I think that it works well with such a format of the game that is meant solely to entertain. At the same time, I think bowl-outs aren't necessary unless if its a virtual knock-out game.

India won that battle 3-0. What was comical was that India used Sehwag and Utappa who never bowled during the while match and they were successful, while Pakistan used three specialist bowlers and they all missed the stumps. I thought that bowlers practice with one stump in the nets?



MY PREDICTIONS FOR THE SEMI FINALS

Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand, South Africa

(I Hope Sri Lanka beats Australia though)