T20 World Cup: Ranking the Potential Winner

Here are my rankings based on form and strength…1) being the strongest

1) West Indies—Is my top potential winner.
They have express pacers, and mystery spinner arguably the best in the trade of T20 bowling….and batting allrounders and bowling allrounders and some of the most explosive batters in T20 in Gayle, Smith and Pollard.
And to top it all the conditions suit their style of play....and if they can get their act together they are the best bet inspite of the dead weight of their captain. And against NZ they have shown to be getting their act together.

2) Australia—Is still the team to beat in limited over formats when they take it seriously and not in a “Practice Mode”. The may have lost the edge in tests….but for limited overs variety have simply the most competitive culture of all cricket playing nations…..and strong talent in pace bowling and a number of bowling all rounders that have emerged recently…….ample exposure to subcontinent conditions as almost all their stars are playing in IPL.

3) South Africa—Their cup is overflowing with pace bowlers Parnell, Marchant de Lange in addition to the ones we saw in their regular test side…and T20 specialist allrounders Albie Morkel, IPL final hero Kallis, Fu Du Pleis……plenty of subcontinent experience and above all the mercurial AB DeVilliers, the best T20 players in the world on evidence of what he did to Steyn in IPL.

4) Pakistan—Bowling is their strength…….with some of the best spinners in the world in addition to strong pace bowling and with allrounders like Afridi and Razaaq, they have explosive depth.
Top order batting is their weakness but might get subsidized by conditions.


Lanka would be 5th in my ratings because their batting suits the pitches in home conditions…..but they lack the quality in bowling or allround strength compared to the top-4

India is more or less in the same boat as Lanka and at No.6…for them to make an impact their batting has to fire big time and from the start.

Either of Lanka or India might surprise SA and /or Pak…..if the former hit their upsides and the latter choke or under perform.

England would be 7th…….with their seam bowling not effective in sub continent conditions, no mystery spinners of the class of Narine or Ajmal…lacking explosive batsmen…or quality allrounders….or experience in subcontinent T20 cricket as they don’t play IPL.

NZ is clearly the 8th side……..more experienced T20 stars…but on the evidence of their show in WI and India…..I feel they are not settled yet….. lacking organization and spirit yet, under the new captain and coach.

Bangladesh…..I dunno where to put them…….they are the proverbial dark horses…could delivers low probability yet possible some amzing stuff as they did in Asia cup and finish in semis. Or may finish below Zimbabwe.

Zim…not much to write about.

Looking at the records of teams in Asia one thing that really strikes is well...the lack of records. Its amazing just how few international T20s have been played in Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan (UAE etc included)and Bangladesh.
From the small sample its worth noting that the hone sides havent fared brilliantly on their own soil.

PS youre having a laugh if you think the Windies are favoruites. They were hammered (With Gayle and Narine) by England (Without KP), a couple of wins over the worst of the sides that arent Bangladesh or Zimbabwe doesnt cover that up.
Its certainly a case of wishful thinking/trying to provoke angry reactions to rate them so highly above England who also hammered India (in India) (yes KP made a decent score, but they won at a canter and didnt have Morgan in the side) plus won 2 of 3 against Pakistan. Interesting to note they relied heavily on their "ineffective" seam bowling rather than batting in those games.They also won the T20 cup on spinner friendly pitches in the Windies, beating the IPL heavy teams. To say they dont have explosive bastmen is straight up odd when the side will likely contain Keistwetter, Buttler, Bairstow, Patel and Morgan and possibly Wright too. Its also worth pointing out that England struggled in the past when they relied on picking specialist big hitting batsmen (the sort who go and play in the IPL). Obviously KP is a huge loss and I wouldnt have them as favourites, but sugessting they arent even in the mix and a class below teams they regularly beat home and away with or without KP is just silly.

Your ranking of Aus is just plain bizarre. Theyve struggled in T20 the last 2 years and lost both games they played in Sri Lanka. As for having lost their edge in tests, since the flump at home to England theyve won 10 drawn 3 lost 2 ...better than SAs recent record. OK not as good as they were once upon a time but a heck of a lot better than they have been in T20s where in the same period theyve lost more games than theyve won.

To actually rate Faf du Plesis as a strength for SA is ..interesting

So once again we are left with the question, do you not have a clue what you are talking about or do you keep registering these accounts to to wind people up by posting deliberately daft/provocative things till you get banned?

One thing I would say, PSW, is that the Windies should be a better outfit in Sri Lankan conditions than they were in English. Narine, as an example, should come in to his own and be far more effectual with some assistance from the pitches and their slower nature.

India remain favourites, for me. They have some monstrous hitters in a batting lineup well used to such conditions, and have a fairly well balanced attack.

England I'd have perhaps installed as 2nd favourites behind India had Kevin Pietersen been part of the XI, but without him I fear that the batting will prove a touch inconsistent despite containing bags of potential, and perhaps going out at the group stage. Matt Prior would have been a wise pick, too, given recent form.

In Pietersen's absence, I'd have Sri Lanka (home advantage, don't write them off), West Indies and Pakistan as my three outside bets. If Pakistan's batting fires they could prove to be a very strong force in this tournament.

As for Australia and South Africa, I really don't rate their chances. Australia are light on spin options and their seamers aren't really suited to these conditions, though they do possess a decent batting lineup, and South Africa just don't look right in these conditions either. The OP mentions Parnell and De Lange etc, but even if these guys do play, were they not the same guys that were dispatched to all parts by Zimbabwe earlier this year? They're as raw as a reindeer tartare and have about as much accuracy as Picasso's paintbrush.

In terms of value for money, it might be worth sticking a few quid on Pakistan. They may well let themselves down with their inconsistent ways, but the potential is most certainly there.

Fists of Fury wrote:One thing I would say, PSW, is that the Windies should be a better outfit in Sri Lankan conditions than they were in English. Narine, as an example, should come in to his own and be far more effectual with some assistance from the pitches and their slower nature.

India remain favourites, for me. They have some monstrous hitters in a batting lineup well used to such conditions, and have a fairly well balanced attack.

England I'd have perhaps installed as 2nd favourites behind India had Kevin Pietersen been part of the XI, but without him I fear that the batting will prove a touch inconsistent despite containing bags of potential, and perhaps going out at the group stage. Matt Prior would have been a wise pick, too, given recent form.

In Pietersen's absence, I'd have Sri Lanka (home advantage, don't write them off), West Indies and Pakistan as my three outside bets. If Pakistan's batting fires they could prove to be a very strong force in this tournament.

As for Australia and South Africa, I really don't rate their chances. Australia are light on spin options and their seamers aren't really suited to these conditions, though they do possess a decent batting lineup, and South Africa just don't look right in these conditions either. The OP mentions Parnell and De Lange etc, but even if these guys do play, were they not the same guys that were dispatched to all parts by Zimbabwe earlier this year? They're as raw as a reindeer tartare and have about as much accuracy as Picasso's paintbrush.

In terms of value for money, it might be worth sticking a few quid on Pakistan. They may well let themselves down with their inconsistent ways, but the potential is most certainly there.

Hard to disagree with any of that...

Ooooh can I try disagreeing with some of Fists's effort?

Fists of Fury wrote:One thing I would say, PSW, is that the Windies should be a better outfit in Sri Lankan conditions than they were in English. Narine, as an example, should come in to his own and be far more effectual with some assistance from the pitches and their slower nature.

Agree completely.

Fists of Fury wrote:India remain favourites, for me. They have some monstrous hitters in a batting lineup well used to such conditions, and have a fairly well balanced attack.

Agree about India being favourites. Not so sure about the balance of their bowling, but Zaheer and spin, spin, spin (they will surely pick 2 spinners, and Raina, Yuvraj, Shewag bowl a few overs) should be effective in Sri Lanka. Surprised that they haven't picked Jadeja, and both Harbajhan and the incredibly average Chawla ahead of Rahul Sharma or even Ohja. I think their 2nd (and 3rd, should they decide to pick and bowl Pathan as an all-rounder) seamer - probably Dinda - could be hittable. Their batting is formidable though.

Fists of Fury wrote:England I'd have perhaps installed as 2nd favourites behind India had Kevin Pietersen been part of the XI, but without him I fear that the batting will prove a touch inconsistent despite containing bags of potential, and perhaps going out at the group stage. Matt Prior would have been a wise pick, too, given recent form.

England would have been favourites with KP in the side for me. Disagree about Prior, he's never been a good one-day international player because his scoring options are limitted. The T20 finals perfectly illustrated this: back of a length tucking him up and he really struggles; spin, he sweeps and reverse-sweeps, but struggles to hit down the ground (as seen in the test series in SL). And he's not a nurdler.

Fists of Fury wrote:In Pietersen's absence, I'd have Sri Lanka (home advantage, don't write them off), West Indies and Pakistan as my three outside bets. If Pakistan's batting fires they could prove to be a very strong force in this tournament.

I would rank England about level with that group. England could easily beat all 3, but also lose to all 3. As I say, I would be disappointed if England lose to both the West Indies and Sri Lanka in the super 8s, and provided they win one they should make the semis. From there, who knows?

Fists of Fury wrote:As for Australia and South Africa, I really don't rate their chances. Australia are light on spin options and their seamers aren't really suited to these conditions, though they do possess a decent batting lineup, and South Africa just don't look right in these conditions either. The OP mentions Parnell and De Lange etc, but even if these guys do play, were they not the same guys that were dispatched to all parts by Zimbabwe earlier this year? They're as raw as a reindeer tartare and have about as much accuracy as Picasso's paintbrush.

I would tend to agree, but I do wonder if we aren't over-egging the spin bowling factor. The pitches won't actually be too dissimilar to those used in the West Indies (although more dusty) where Australia made the final on the back of using pace upfront with Tait, Nannes and Johnson. Their main spinner was Steve Smith (who actually bowled very well for most of the tournament - I still think Aus should have included him). Based on that, South Africa could feature. And Australia do have a powerful batting line-up (although I suspect Warner will face a lot of spin first up and could struggle to make an impact).

Fists of Fury wrote:In terms of value for money, it might be worth sticking a few quid on Pakistan. They may well let themselves down with their inconsistent ways, but the potential is most certainly there.

Yeah I agree. They probably have the easier draw in terms of making the semis, and from then on...

The Super Eights group are

England, SL, WI, NZ in one group.
Australia, Pakistan, SA, India in the other.

So our group does give us a chance but I doubt we can beat SL or WI if the pitches are similar to what they were against Pakistan for the T20s recently.

Perhaps you're right in regard to Prior, Mike. As you have said elsewhere, he has never quite cut the mustard in limited overs cricket for England, and whilst his impressive England and county returns suggest he is in fantastic form, there is nothing telling us that against high class bowling under T20 fielding restrictions anything will change.

You know, Ireland are no slouches at the shorter forms in cricket. Doubt they will win but they will certainly scare the Aussies and Windies

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:Looking at the records of teams in Asia one thing that really strikes is well...the lack of records. Its amazing just how few international T20s have been played in Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan (UAE etc included)and Bangladesh.
From the small sample its worth noting that the hone sides havent fared brilliantly on their own soil.

PS youre having a laugh if you think the Windies are favoruites. They were hammered (With Gayle and Narine) by England (Without KP), a couple of wins over the worst of the sides that arent Bangladesh or Zimbabwe doesnt cover that up.
Its certainly a case of wishful thinking/trying to provoke angry reactions to rate them so highly above England who also hammered India (in India) (yes KP made a decent score, but they won at a canter and didnt have Morgan in the side) plus won 2 of 3 against Pakistan. Interesting to note they relied heavily on their "ineffective" seam bowling rather than batting in those games.They also won the T20 cup on spinner friendly pitches in the Windies, beating the IPL heavy teams. To say they dont have explosive bastmen is straight up odd when the side will likely contain Keistwetter, Buttler, Bairstow, Patel and Morgan and possibly Wright too. Its also worth pointing out that England struggled in the past when they relied on picking specialist big hitting batsmen (the sort who go and play in the IPL). Obviously KP is a huge loss and I wouldnt have them as favourites, but sugessting they arent even in the mix and a class below teams they regularly beat home and away with or without KP is just silly.

Your ranking of Aus is just plain bizarre. Theyve struggled in T20 the last 2 years and lost both games they played in Sri Lanka. As for having lost their edge in tests, since the flump at home to England theyve won 10 drawn 3 lost 2 ...better than SAs recent record. OK not as good as they were once upon a time but a heck of a lot better than they have been in T20s where in the same period theyve lost more games than theyve won.

To actually rate Faf du Plesis as a strength for SA is ..interesting

So once again we are left with the question, do you not have a clue what you are talking about or do you keep registering these accounts to to wind people up by posting deliberately daft/provocative things till you get banned?

my friend...your response is more empotional than logical.


The other team I support......India...with a balance view I have put them also at No.6


These Bresnan, Broad ,Bopara, Keriswetter, Mr. fit Patel.....types ain't cut out for T20 or any kind of limited over cricket...especially in subcontinent.

The IPL is the most primitive /animal form of judging skills in the game....those with money pay the players to display their wares....... and then the players perform in money market at full potential to justoify and maximize their market value.

Nothing can be camouflaged in that market place of cricket.

Market value assesment in IPl is a good measure of a players skills in subcontinent conditions.

Even the ones like Morgan that are fully paid for don't get a game when 16 players have been tried over 20 games by KKR.

And trust me.......Aus and SA can put two elevens that are better than the Broad/bresnan/Patel /Boapara/ type current English 11...for T20 games in subcontinent whihc requires following 3 skills :

1) Fast bowlers and mystery spinners
2) Allrounders who can hit explosively with the bat
3) Hard hitting batsmen

Anayway I'd be happy to be proven wrong and lap the unlikely joy of an India-Eng final....should it come to it.

England 7th and the Windies 1st?

England to make it 2 on the bounce I reckon, Pakistan and the Aussies to be closest contenders. Sri Lanka also have an outside chance as do the Saffers.

Duty281 wrote:England 7th and the Windies 1st?

England to make it 2 on the bounce I reckon, Pakistan and the Aussies to be closest contenders. Sri Lanka also have an outside chance as do the Saffers.

Not at all surprising given that its in the subcontinental conditions. We are utterly Poopie in those.

Bump.......4 of my top 5 ranked sides are throuhg to the semis

In my previous Poll thread, i had the West Indies to win the WC. Only because i think that T20 is still a total lottery where even a side with an average team can triumph.

Maybe exciting for some but T20 is dull to me.

Predictions by KP Fan and Skyeman about the Windies not looking quite so unlikely now!

35 years and after lows that not many could have imgined......the Calypso Brand of cavalier cricket hits high...

very talented.....show results to back their theri allround talent

IPL has been a big factor in the revival of West Indian cricket...bringing the best of this brand T20 out of them....and giving budding talent in WI a market to get their rewards from..

*Take a bow* to the happy, jovial Darren Sammy ability to bind these guys

Hope West Indies cricket goes further, grows stronger from here

Well done KP_fan: its always satisfying to get something right

The IPL has helped, but I wouldn't say its been the defining factor in the teams improvement - I'd put that more down to the more consistent version of Gayle, the discovery of Narine and Roach, and Sammy's captaincy.

The IPL has allowed some of the players to free themselves from an environment in which the players always seemed to appear resigned to mediocrity. Experiencing a successful environment and mixing it with others from around the world must have helped in that.

Shelsey93 wrote:Well done KP_fan: its always satisfying to get something right

The IPL has helped, but I wouldn't say its been the defining factor in the teams improvement - I'd put that more down to the more consistent version of Gayle, the discovery of Narine and Roach, and Sammy's captaincy.

The IPL has allowed some of the players to free themselves from an environment in which the players always seemed to appear resigned to mediocrity. Experiencing a successful environment and mixing it with others from around the world must have helped in that.

Talking about WI in general rather than the T20 specifically. In Tests and ODIs Roach has been a major factor in their improvements, and would have made them a better side in T20 too.