T20 World Cup 2009

The first T20 tournament was a resounding success, as a result England will be under a lot of pressure to reproduce a tournament as memorable as the first. Having said that, T20 has always been entertaining and it should be an enthralling carnival.

What's especially great about this format is that games are very unpredictable, and the minnows of other formats of the game can prosper in the shortest version. Those who have watched the recent IPL would require no further examples.

Below is a look at the teams for this year's tournament along with my predictions.

• IRELAND, SCOTLAND AND NETHERLANDS

Very few people would place their money on the three associates to make the finals of the T20 World cup, but in this format no one can laugh at another's predictions. These three teams have the talent and ability to surprise any of the big guns, but the fact that they are inexperienced may count against them and they may not make it to the second round easily.

Look out for:

These three teams have some players who have made headlines in the past. Gavin Hamilton has been Scotland's main player, as shown in previous ODI world cups - remember the time he made the fastest World Cup century against West indies in 2003?
Ireland did well in 2007, and some names in the present line-up should ring some bells - Boyd Rankin, the O'briens and Trent Johnston their main allrounder.
And undoubtedly the only recognizable name in the Dutch team would be Dirk Nannes - the fast bowler who made headlines in the recent IPL for being the reason wy Glen Mcgrath didn't get a game for the Delhi Daredevils. The English conditions should suit him well.

• ENGLAND

They may have home advantage, but again that wouldn't help much in T20 cricket. England have opted to use a more experienced team instead of giving "specialists" from the county scene a go in this year's world Cup. They seem to be more confident, but they haven't been a force to reckon with in any format of the game. Thus they may make it to the Super Eights as they're in the same group with Netherlands but may not proceed further.

Look out for:

Kevin Pieterson is England's trump in any format, and in T20 he can single handedly turn games around.
Ravi Bopara has been making headlines recently and surely he will be an important part of the English batting line-up.
The pace duo of Stuart Broad and James Anderson have also been impressive and England's bowling attack will rest heavily on these two.


• WEST INDIES

West indies have always have the talent to be world-beaters, but they have been one cricket's most underperforming team in recent years. They are in a tough group along with Australia and Sri Lanka and have to depend on their big guns to take them through the Super Eights. If they do, it will be an even harder task to get to the semis.

Look out for:

Chris Gayle has the distinction of being the only centurion in international T20's so far. He is one of the most destructive openers in world cricket and will no doubt be the key man for West Indies.
Fidel Edwards is the key bowler for West Indies - he is fast and lately he has shown that he has groomed into an effective and dangerous bowler. If he can take early wickets that should put West Indies in the box seat early in the innings.

• BANGLADESH

Bangladesh has been a team that has always shown potential, but has overall been disappointing on the field too. They nevertheless have the ability to go to the second round like the last tournament. The main task however is to stay consistent if they do get to the second round.

Look out for:

Shakib Al Hassan has been Bangladesh's stand out performer in recent times and he can have the ability to surge Bangladesh to victory in a format which can rely on individual performances to cross the final line.

• NEW ZEALAND

In the first tournament New Zealand reached the semis, but as with other previous ODI world cups they failed to reach the big stage. They have the talent to go to the semis this time again, but again not many would put their money on new zealand making the finals.

Look out for:

Brendon Mccullum and Jesse Ryder are one of the world's most dangerous openers, thus how they perform will largely determine the score new zealand gets. Vettori is one of t20's best bowlers and would be a cricital member of new zealand's bowling attack this time too.

• SRI LANKA

Sri Lanka too have talented and world class players that can help them get through their "group of death" but they aren't renowned to be world beaters in T20 cricket, thus it will be a tough task for them to reach the semis this season. The lack of big hitters in their middle order is their main weakness, thus placing a lot of pressure on their top order.

Look out for:

Muralitharan is always Sri Lanka's trump card and he was in good form in the recent IPL. Lasith Malinga also proved to be one of the format's toughest bowlers.

Sanath Jayasuriya is definitely a key player too. Everyone knows that his contribution with the bat is always vital for Sri Lanka's chances of winning any game.

• PAKISTAN

Pakistan have a young team with an abundance of talent, but it is tough to see them make the semis given that they've been short of exposure to international cricket and are known to be one of the most inconsistent teams. They are hungry for some good cricket and would be hoping for a similar performance to their last tournament.

Look out for:

Shahid Afridi was the man of the tournament in the first edition, and their is a lot of expectations of him in this year's edition too. Which position he should be in the batting line-up has been a dilemma for Pakistan though - personally I think he should open as he has more freedom to go for the big shots.

• AUSTRALIA

Australia usually go into major tournaments being the favorites, but not this time. They haven't mastered the short format but they have the resources to take them all the way. The journey to the semis will however be a tough one for them - especially now with Andrew Symonds absent from the squad.

Look out for:

The Hussey brothers are dangerous in this format. Mitchell Johnson will be vital with the new ball - he has been impressive lately and is one of the best bowlers in world cricket today.

• SOUTH AFRICA

If not for one solitary loss against India, South Africa would have reached the semis of the last edition. As with other World Cup tournaments, South Africa have not yet managed to enter the finals - either due to bad luck or some other misfortune. They are desperate to put history behind them and come out winners - and they are confident as they have on the the best teams in the tournament. If history does not indeed repeat itself, South Africa are one of the favorites to lift the title.

Look Out for:

South Africa's line-up will be full of match-winners, but I think all eyes would be on J.P. Duminy as he is one of the new gems of cricket, with alot of potential and a bright future ahead of him. Even though he is young, he displays great maturity and was his team's best batsman in the IPL.

• INDIA

India are also one of the favorites to lift the trophy - for a second time - as they also are packed with Superstars and match-winners. How they adapt to English conditions would decide their performance in the tournament.

Look out for:

India too have match winners in every position of the line-up. Sehwag and Ghambir are one of cricket's deadliest openers, and Indians would expect Yuvraj Singh to repeat his heroics of 2007. Pragyan Ojha is one of the young bright stars and could be a vital component of their bowling line-up.