The wait is finally over

AUSTRALIA

Triple World Champions and bookies’ favourites, it is difficult to see what is wrong with Australia. Their Twenty20 squad bears a sharp resemblance to that of the World Cup, and they have neglected to replace specialists with all-rounders. But the majority of bowlers are well capable of smashing a few sixes, while all-rounder Shane Watson provides useful options.

Squad: Ricky Ponting (capt), Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Michael Clarke, Adam Gilchrist, Brad Haddin, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hodge, Bradley Hogg, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Andrew Symonds, Ben Hilfenhaus, Shane Watson.
Point Men: Adam Gilchrist

Australia’s long time opener is fully used to taking the game away from the opposition within twenty overs. As he proved in his battery assault on Sri Lanka in the World Cup final this year, he thrives on intense pressure, and will be one of the most feared batsmen present.

ODI Average: 36.00: SR: 96.65

Andrew Symonds
Much is expected from this versatile and aggressive all-rounder. His makeup may give him the appearance of a clown, but it will only be Australians laughing if he strides to the crease in the middle order and begins hitting the sort of sixes he has shown he is well capable of. Good value for wickets as well, bowling spin or seam up.
ODI Average: 50.13: SR: 89.93

ENGLAND

Having called up players such as Wright and Maddy, performers in the domestic version, England’s campaign will be the acid test for gauging how much of a part past experience plays in being successful in T20. Collingwood’s fielding and solid captaincy should shore up the Star Men’s vital contributions, but others must bat well to justify the Mascarenhas exclusion.

Squad: Paul Collingwood (capt), Stuart Broad, Andrew Flintoff, James Kirtley, Darren Maddy, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior, Chris Schofield, Owais Shah, Ryan Sidebottom, Jeremy Snape, Vikram Solanki, Chris Tremlett, Luke Wright.

Point Men: Andrew Flintoff

A bowler, as quick as any in the game, who takes wickets and strangles scoring rates, Flintoff is already hot property as a Twenty20 player. What sets him above the rest, however, is the ability to hammer runs in the middle order. Although not quite the batsman he was, a run of form could make all the difference.

ODI Average: 31.53: SR: 87.46

Bowling Average: 25.31.Econ: 4.36

Kevin Pietersen

England’s South African born hero has provided the aggressive edge to an England team sadly devoid of fighting spirit before his arrival, and this will be his major asset in Twenty20. Sporting an array of sorts varying from the classical to the ridiculous looking, his adaptability should serve England well in tough conditions.

ODI Average: 50.13: SR: 89.93

New Zealand

The Black Caps will sorely miss the luxury of Stephen Fleming’s motivational skills and cricketing nous over the last decade. Nevertheless, they show a decent pedigree in T20, and have a good balance of bowling in Bond and Patel, as well as aggressive batsmen like McCullum and Oram.

Squad: Daniel Vettori (capt), Shane Bond, Peter Fulton, Mark Gillespie, Gareth Hopkins, Chris Martin, Craig McMillan, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Jacob Oram, Jeetan Patel, Bradley Scott, Scott Styris,  Ross Taylor, Lou Vincent.

Point Men: Daniel Vettori

Deputy to Fleming for long, Vettori will look to emulate him by creating an organised, hard working and committed team. Along with captaincy, his left-arm spin and occasionally useful batting will shore up a tight unit team.

ODI Bowling Average: 32.95. Econ: 4.22

Scott Styris

Having overcome fitness worries, Styris was a sensation at the World Cup, particularly in batting scoring 499 runs. His limpet like attachment to the crease was encouraging, but more so was the ability  he showed to hit over the top and grind out whatever is necessary.

ODI Average: 31.89: SR: 78.65

Bowling Average 32.62. Econ: 4.72

PAKISTAN

A new look Pakistan squad has been rolled out for this tournament. Changing the names, however, does not kill the old habits, nor the tensions, as seen in the Akhtar chapter. Left even shorter of experience with no Yousuf, Pak should find it seriously difficult to compete.

Squad: Shoaib Malik (capt), Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar, Kamran Akmal, Fawad Alam, Yasir Arafat, Mohammad Asif, Salman Butt, Umar Gul, Mohammad Hafeez, Misbah-ul-Haq, Rao Iftikhar, Younis Khan, Imran Nazir, Abdul Rehman.

Point Men: Shoaib Malik

The new captain will be looking to stamp his authority on a team desperately needing some stability. Emerging from the World Cup debacle, his versatility has seen him move around the batting order with ease. Coupled with his tight off-spinhe can lead Pakistan from the front.

ODI Average: 34.02: SR: 77.50

Bowling Average 34.57. Econ: 4.48

Shahid Afridi

The glint in Afridi’s eye must have been quite a sight when he heard about T20. He has proven he is capable of winning matches entirely by himself if his batting clicks, as his superlative ODI strike rate testifies. His leg spin is a bonus.

ODI Average: 23.37: SR: 109.38.

Bowling Average: 34.57. Econ: 4.48

SOUTH AFRICA

The hosts will look to prove that the exclusion of Jacques Kallis and Andrew Hall were positive moves, but are left with a team short on experience, particularly in the bowling lineup. Under pressure to perform, they will have to look to the leadership of Graeme Smith just to keep the peace in an increasingly tumultuous dressing room. Their Star Men are proven campaigners, and Smith and the likes of Nitni and De Villiers will bring more experience to bear. Justin Kemp is touted as the big hitter, but a disappointing World Cup has tarnished his reputation.

Squad: Graeme Smith (capt), Gulam Bodi, Mark Boucher, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Justin Kemp, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Makhaya Ntini, Vernon Philander, Shaun Pollock, Thandi Tshabalala, Johan van der Wath.

Point Men: Herschelle Gibbs

A batting chameleon, Gibbs has shown that he is capable, in the test arena, of crafting delicate innings of patience and finesse. Dan van Bunge will also bear witness that when he becomes aggressive, like the time he scored 36 runs off the hapless Dutchman’s over, he can hit big with the best of them. A key cog in the Proteas’s machine.

ODI Average: 36.25: SR: 82.64

Shaun Pollock

Where the all-rounder is king and the tight bowler prized above the wicket taker, Shaun Pollock is bound to prosper. His ODI runs come at a very healthy rate, which he will be able to increase given his experience, but his economy figures speak to why his overs will make or break the South African challenge.

ODI Average: 26.02: SR:86.63

Bowling Average: 24.15 Econ: 3.70

SRI LANKA

The blow delivered by Murali’s elbow injury will sting, but Sri Lanka have talent enough to move forward. Wily captain Jayawardene and Chamara Silva, in addition to wicketkeeper Kumara Sangakkara, can aid Jayasuriya to posting some big scores. Lasith Malinga can be destructive and Maharoof and Fernando will provide solid support.

Squad: Mahela Jayawardena (capt), Dilhara Fernando, Hasantha Fernando, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Sanath Jayasuriya, Farveez Maharoof, Lasith Malinga, Jehan Mubarak, Dilruwan Perera, Kumara Sangakkara, Chamara Silva, Upul Tharanga, Dilshan Tilakaratne, Chaminda Vaas, Gayan Wijekoon

Point men: Sanath Jayasuriya

The small man with the big arms loves nothing better than the license to open the batting and abuse the opening bowling. A master at taking advantage of the fielding restrictions, he can set Sri Lanka on the way to massive totals. His right-arm darts have also become a by-word for specialist death bowling.

ODI Average: 32.83: SR: 90.50

Bowling: Average 36.48 Econ: 4.76

Farveez Mahroof

At 23 years, Farveez Maharoof may seem young, but his experiences of captaining his nations under-19 team, and three years in the full team have helped him mature. An accurate swinger of the ball, his medium pace has taken wickets around the world, and his six hitting exploits have characterized many successful wags in the Sri Lankan tail.

ODI Average: 20.45. SR: 87.42, Bowling Average: 25.47. Econ: 4.74

WEST INDIES
As much as their cricket has gone off the boil, the West Indies are capable of causing a few upsets, as a flourishing domestic Twenty20 game has proven. With batsmen like Sarwan (skipper) and Bravo ready to back up the bowlers who, on their day can skittle oppositions, and all-rounders like Devon Smith and Chris Gayle, there is no reason they should not challenge.

Squad: Ramnaresh Sarwan (capt), Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Pedro Collins, Narsingh Deonarine, Fidel Edwards, Chris Gayle, Runako Morton, Daren Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Darren Sammy, Marlon Samuels, Devon Smith, Dwayne Smith.

Point men: Shivnarine Chanderpaul

Chanderpaul is not naturally a big hitter or fantastically quick scorer, but he is very much a man in form. After a transcendent tour of England with the West Indies and a successful stint with County side Durham, he will believe that he is capable of excelling in Twenty20.

ODI Average: 38.96: SR: 70.36

Chris Gayle

A big man and a big hitter, Gayle is another One Day opener whose only gear is aggression. He hits boundaries without any apparent effort, although his cool exterior is not always matched by the calmness of his shots. After a disappointing World Cup, Gayle will now he’s well overdue a starring role for the West Indies

ODI Average: 38.89: SR: 80.39

Check out the Indians in tomorrow’s issue