T20 World Cup Super 12 will get underway today as Australia take on South Africa at 3:30 pm IST and England face defending champions West Indies later in the evening.
After a few warm up matches and first round which saw Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Scotland and surprise package Namibia reach the Super 12, the tournament gets down to business.
First up is Australia v South Africa in a game that could go either way. Traditionally Australia would start as favourites in any world event, but T20 hasn’t been a successful event for the Aussies. Even during their dominant years they were unable to crack the code and this current Australian team isn’t even that strong.
South Africa on the other hand have had their own struggles without success at this event. Moving away from the tag of favourites fir once in a big tournament they would see this as an ideal opportunity for their young side to shed the tag of chokers and win their fist world cup. Beating Australia in the first game won’t be a bad start either.
In the second game that begins at 7:30 pm IST minds will obviously fly back to the epic final of 2016 World Cup, when Carlos Braithwaite took the trophy away from England’s grasp with 4 sixes in 4 balls.
Since then England have emerged as perhaps the strongest team in the shortest format of the game. Their strength and morale would be boosted by the performances they have put on consistently since that final and captain Eoin Morgan will know anything less than a place in the last 4 will be considered as a disappointment.
Will England’s swashbuckling style prevail in the somewhat sluggish pitches of UAE remains to be seen.
West Indies have build a strong team since their last triumph in dramatic fashion, but its an ageing team as well. Cris Gayle is 42, Dwayne Bravo 38, captain Kieran Pollard 34, while Lendl Simmons is 36, yet you wouldn’t bet against them all going out with a last hurrah for the ages.
All these players are sure fire match winners on their day and can end hopes of their rivals in a heartbeat, but they would need to be at their absolute best if they have upend and dodged and determined English side.
A clash of two World Champions is something to look forward to on the Saturday evening.