2024 T20 World Cup

by Duty281 Wed 22 May - 12:04

First topic message reminder :

Just over a week away now from some glorious six-hitting in the cricketing heartlands of Barbados, Trinidad, Saint Lucia and, um, New York City.

England are defending the crown they won at the MCG in front of 80,000 people in November 2022. They'll probably be hoping it goes a bit better than their defence of the 50 over title! The tournament is, as T20 competitions are, very wide open. If England were to win it again they'd be the first men's team to win back to back World T20 titles in the history of the competition.

Chasing them keenly are the bookmakers favourites India, who are very, very thirsty because of a drought that has existed since 2013 in ICC tournaments. Australia will obviously be there or thereabouts, and there's plenty of excitement around the West Indies, twice winners of this competition, and how glorious it would be to see them lift a trophy at home.

Or perhaps South Africa will finally stop being Tottenham and actually win something? But it's T20. So it could be anyone. Ireland, Scotland, Uganda....USA?

I thought the format of the last couple of T20 World Cups was absolutely perfect. Naturally, then, the ICC have altered it for this year! So we've now got 20 teams, up from 16, and 55 matches in total, up from 45.

There's no preliminary round this time. All teams start off the same. Four groups of five teams. All play each other once. Top two in each group go through to the Super 8s. Super 8s is split into two groups of four. No points are carried over and all teams play each other once in the Super 8s. Top two in each Super 8 group go through to the semi-finals, from which it's a straight knockout. Means a team will play nine games if they are to lift the trophy, in comparison to England's seven games to win it in 2022.

One curious thing about the format, and the ICC love curious things (such as there being no reserve day for one semi-final), is that the finishing places in the initial group are seeded. For example, England are designated B1 in their group, and Australia are B2, which means that it's irrelevant if England come first or second. They will go through to Group 2 of the Super 8s regardless of finishing first or second. I suppose it guarantees certainty for fans, as they know where teams are playing after the initial group stage.

While I don't think it's been directly said, the draw was not a fair and open one. It took place behind closed doors and ensured India/Pakistan were in the same group, as well as some other long-standing rivalries, such as USA v Canada. I'm surprised the ICC didn't put India and Pakistan in the same Super 8 group as well! The groups are:

Groups:

The fixture list is all over the place with timings, so try and keep up! If you're in the UK, games can start at 01:30, or they might begin at 18:00, and quite a few matches seem to overlap in the early stages.

Fixture List (All times BST):

Squads (Not yet finalised):

Outright Odds (Bet365):

The USA and Canada will be starting this one off in Texas. That's the most unlikely cricket sentence ever uttered.

by alfie Sun 23 Jun - 17:00

And hat trick it is !!!!!

by Duty281 Sun 23 Jun - 17:00

Jordan, hattrick! clap

Well, we won't be seeing Wood again this tournament.

by GSC Sun 23 Jun - 17:02

Jordan getting in on the hat trick fun.
Demolition job at the end, no slip ups and England should be free to put their feet up through the SA WI game

by alfie Sun 23 Jun - 17:04

115. Good job after the first power play...and Jordan will be delighted with that effort. Might stop the internet experts calling for him to pensioned off Wink

by Duty281 Sun 23 Jun - 17:04

116 to win. Get it done, with a bit to spare, and the semi-finals await.

England don't strike me as winners in waiting, based on form this tournament, but two games away from the title in the T20 format represents a strong chance. In it to win it and all that.

by king_carlos Sun 23 Jun - 17:10

Lovely to see Jordan get that in a bit of a homecoming of sorts!

Duty281 wrote:England don't strike me as winners in waiting, based on form this tournament, but two games away from the title in the T20 format represents a strong chance. In it to win it and all that.

I'd agree with this. There are elements they've done well but it does feel that taking advantage of the PP in batting is very Salt dependent (hence I'd bring Jacks back in), whilst the middle overs bowling is very Dilly dependent, then the PP bowling very Topley dependent and still not great!

I don't think others are miles from standing up around them though. Buttler hasn't been at his best but remains a player who can win games individually if bats a significant part of the innings. Brook is showing his talent in T20 on the big stage. Jof is bowling better and better with game time.

It's also helpful that Jordan and Surran are looking increasingly suited to conditions.

There are a few sides in contention, all have notable strengths and weaknesses.

by alfie Sun 23 Jun - 17:18

Pitch indeed getting dry and flakey so bats will need to stay alert. US doesn't have any wrist spinners I gather but presume they'll attack the stumps and try to choke the scoring. The threatened rain doesn't seem to have materialised Wink

by KP_fan Sun 23 Jun - 17:22

USA should have judged the situation and gotten with singles and 2s to 125-130
they have left themselves nothing to fight with

by king_carlos Sun 23 Jun - 17:31

This is more the sort intent that Jos usually shows!

It would help this side no end up he can start taking advantage of the PP like he has for so long.

by alfie Sun 23 Jun - 17:39

Yes pleased to see Jos getting into gear early...he hasn't exactly been rubbish in the other games but probably fair to say it has been a bit underwhelming for a player with his pedigree. He would certainly like to go into the knock-outs on a high...

by GSC Sun 23 Jun - 17:42

SA may well live to regret letting the US get so close. England look well placed to join the WI in a NRR boosting win over the US

by Duty281 Sun 23 Jun - 17:50

Strong PowerPlay from England.

USA's tournament ending with a whimper, but they've given it a really good go overall. Beaten Pakistan and Canada and didn't disgrace themselves v India. Maybe ran out of energy in the Super 8s. They've qualified for 2026 as a result of making the Super 8s and it'll be good to see them again in two years.

South Africa v West Indies is going to be a winner takes all QF. But it may not have been this way for SA, except for their concession of 176 runs v the USA. WI and England have hammered the USA, SA edged them out on the final scoreboard. Could be the difference if they lose tonight.

I think I'm narrowly leaning in the West Indies favour, but the game could be decided by Pooran v de Kock. Pooran's displayed strong form throughout the tournament, whereas de Kock started slow but has now started striking beautifully. Motie and Hosein have been excellent with the ball - combined figures of 17/239 from 42 overs, a below run a ball economy - while Joseph has been a consistent wicket taker. Conversely, it's the pace duo of Nortje and Rabada that has stood out for SA with the ball.

Would seem cruel if SA do lose and exit as a result, because they've got a 100% record to this point. Whereas England have lost twice and are on their way to the semis.

by alfie Sun 23 Jun - 17:58

Yeah I was thinking SA would be stiff to go out with just one loss. Guess they will just have to beat West Indies , eh ? The way it goes sometimes though in WCs. Sure we all remember an England football team exiting a WC without losing a match... Jos having fun here Wink

by alfie Sun 23 Jun - 18:01

Comprehensive, you call that Wink

Jos running into form as England reach the semis...

by Duty281 Sun 23 Jun - 18:06

Buttler 83 off 38 in the end. That's his second highest strike rate of a completed innings in T20is with 50+ scored, surpassed only by his 71 off 32 v Australia in Dubai in another iteration of this competition.

Looks very likely to be second place either way for England, which is most probably a semi-final v India. The one without a reserve day. India will advance if it's rained off...

by king_carlos Sun 23 Jun - 18:10

Brutal from Buttler. Brilliant to see him spring into form.

1.Salt 2.Buttler 3.Jacks 4.Bairstow 5.Brook 6.Moeen 7.Curran/Livi 8.Jordan 9.Archer 10.Dilly 11.Topley

I'm leaning towards that, with lots of flexibility between 3/4/5 depending on the game situation. I just prefer that extra firepower from Jacks so that they can keep coming in the PP a bit more. Even if Bairstow still comes in at 3, with Jacks further down, I'd prefer to then tell YJB to go harder with the extra batting power below.

It feels like they've settled on bowler heavy though.

After some fraught moments with the weather and NRR during the groups, they are now comfortably into the semis. It's been an odd but mostly entertaining tournament I've felt.

by KP_fan Sun 23 Jun - 18:15

If SA win vs WI..... SA top the group

If WI win, they sure qualify , but unless they hammer SA by 50 to 60 runs or 5 to 6 overs to spare,...they won't surpass Eng in NRR.
So in all likelihood Eng will top the group if WI wins

The other side....India will top the group even if they lose.

by Duty281 Sun 23 Jun - 18:19

KP_fan wrote:If SA win vs WI..... SA top the group

If WI win, they sure qualify , but unless they hammer SA by 50 to 60 runs or 5 to 6 overs to spare,...they won't surpass Eng in NRR.
So in all likelihood Eng will top the group if WI wins

The other side....India will top the group even if they lose.

I don't think they need that big a win to top the group, but could be wrong. England's NRR has only gone up to 1.992 and the West Indies is 1.814.

by Duty281 Sun 23 Jun - 18:24

king_carlos wrote:Brutal from Buttler. Brilliant to see him spring into form.

1.Salt 2.Buttler 3.Jacks 4.Bairstow 5.Brook 6.Moeen 7.Curran/Livi 8.Jordan 9.Archer 10.Dilly 11.Topley

I'm leaning towards that, with lots of flexibility between 3/4/5 depending on the game situation. I just prefer that extra firepower from Jacks so that they can keep coming in the PP a bit more. Even if Bairstow still comes in at 3, with Jacks further down, I'd prefer to then tell YJB to go harder with the extra batting power below.

It feels like they've settled on bowler heavy though.

After some fraught moments with the weather and NRR during the groups, they are now comfortably into the semis. It's been an odd but mostly entertaining tournament I've felt.

I'd like to get Brook up to 3 or 4. He's a match winner and has shown good returns with the bat so far, but is hidden away too far down the order. England might have beaten SA had he not come out at 5.

Agree with the balance and think England need Jacks (or Duckett) in. Moeen is a 6/7 and needs to bat there, but I'm concerned England will still insist on him at 3/4.

Another concern is there haven't been many chances with the bat for those below Salt/Buttler, due in part to their excellence (as today), and also in part to the weather. Might leave them a bit short of sharpness.

by KP_fan Sun 23 Jun - 18:27

Duty281 wrote:
KP_fan wrote:If SA win vs WI..... SA top the group

If WI win, they sure qualify , but unless they hammer SA by 50 to 60 runs or 5 to 6 overs to spare,...they won't surpass Eng in NRR.
So in all likelihood Eng will top the group if WI wins

The other side....India will top the group even if they lose.

I don't think they need that big a win to top the group, but could be wrong. England's NRR has only gone up to 1.992 and the West Indies is 1.814.

If WI score 160...they have to restrict SA for 107 to get to a NRR of 2.0 i.e to surpass Eng
i.e win by 53 runs
conversely......approximately with 5 to 6 overs to spare if chasing

by KP_fan Sun 23 Jun - 18:29

so it will be Ind-v-Eng is SA qualify
or it will be Aus-v-Eng if WI qualify ( and WI v Ind)

by KP_fan Sun 23 Jun - 18:36

BD has an almost impossible task to overcome their -2.5NRR

and Afg has to hand out a HUGE hammering to BD + Ind has to hammer Aus big for Afg to qualify.......highly unlikely

by VTR Sun 23 Jun - 18:43

Chris Jordan takes a hat trick. England cruise into the semi finals. Both pretty unlikely looking headlines so will take it. Do feel, as others have said, England are unlikely to take the title, but this is much improved from the ODI World Cup

by king_carlos Sun 23 Jun - 19:15

Duty281 wrote:I'd like to get Brook up to 3 or 4. He's a match winner and has shown good returns with the bat so far, but is hidden away too far down the order. England might have beaten SA had he not come out at 5.

Brook's batting position is a classic case of just utilising flexibility of T20 line ups more for me. A bit like SA with Klaasen. If a wicket falls in the PP, send in Bairstow (or Jacks...) with the explicit instruction to keep going hard. If a wicket falls closer the 10 over mark, I'd get Brook in ahead of either.

I think Brook is currently suited to more fielders being back though, hence the second half of the innings. He just looks more comfortable to me when he can easily rotate the strike on a decent ball, then target other deliveries. I could see him eating up some dot balls, then playing a rash shot if he were in during the PP with 7 fielders up.

If instructed to keep going hard, I think Salt, Jacks and Bairstow are really well suited to the PP. They've generally been a bit passive if a wicket falls early though. Perhaps some nerves/hangover after just how dire the CWC was there I suspect.

If they are flexible with the order, it should be rare that Brook would be coming in too late to play an influential innings. Today for instance, if that's the first innings and a wicket falls next ball, I'm sending Brook in next every single time. Big platform, 10 overs left. Have a go Harry. Whether they'll do that is a different story.

by KP_fan Sun 23 Jun - 19:17

[quote="VTR"]Chris Jordan takes a hat trick. England cruise into the semi finals. Both pretty unlikely looking headlines so will take it. Do feel, as others have said, England are unlikely to take the title, but this is much improved from the ODI World Cup[/quote]

Defending Champions and favorite to win

All boxes checked, peaked at right time, their juggernaut is well rolling

by VTR Sun 23 Jun - 19:22

Not so sure about that! Windies are the only top tier side they've actually beaten so far, and now need two such wins in a row. I think India will do it this time, the batting and bowling depth they have is insane

by **Galted** Sun 23 Jun - 19:34

Duty281 wrote:
Would seem cruel if SA do lose and exit as a result, because they've got a 100% record to this point. Whereas England have lost twice and are on their way to the semis.

And there's a chance both teams who beat England will be knocked out before the semis.

by alfie Mon 24 Jun - 3:52

KP_fan wrote:BD has an almost impossible task to overcome their -2.5NRR

and Afg has to hand out a HUGE hammering to BD + Ind has to hammer Aus big for Afg to qualify.......highly unlikely

No : if India beats Australia by even 1 run - or the match is rained out - Afghans need only to win to go past Australia as they'll have 4 points to the Aussies 2 or 3

by alfie Mon 24 Jun - 4:12

Largely agree with KC about flexibility in batting orders. I mean , although Duty doesn't like it , you can see why Moeen gets shifted up sometimes in order to disrupt bowling plans as the sole left hander : won't always work of course. Contra argument is it is better for batsmen to know their role ; but these are experienced International players and should be able to adapt at short notice.

Not so sure about bringing Jacks back in . Hasn't really got warm at this WC and while it lengthens the batting it means the also desirable bowling flexibility is lost (I'm not giving him the ball again in a hurry !) And TBH I am more concerned about England's bowling than their batting here - Curran at 7 is fine by me , and if Jordan is there at eight ...well frankly if you need 9 10 Jack to save you with the bat you are probably losing most of the time.

Meanwhile the covers are off again at North Sound so West Indies hopes are still alive with SA 15/2 in pursuit of 136...

by alfie Mon 24 Jun - 4:40

Three overs lost so SA need 123 from 17 , ie another 108 from 15. This could be very tight.

by alfie Mon 24 Jun - 4:47

This SA innings has been a wild ride already : 3 fours first over and two vital Russell wickets in the second before the rain pelted down. ...and apologies for no earlier match report but between late night cricket and early morning Football Disaster for Scotland I missed the WI innings altogether...you'll all have to read back Cricinfo or watch the highlights Smile

by alfie Mon 24 Jun - 5:05

Few brisk runs from Markram but he's holed out to mid off from Joseph and it's 50/3 off six. Klaasen will attack the spinners now...

by KP_fan Mon 24 Jun - 5:05

It's a humdinger SA v WI
Reduced to 17 overs.

In balance at 49-3 even on dls
76 Off 66

by alfie Mon 24 Jun - 5:10

Oh hi , KP_fan... nice to have some company on here Wink

The way Klaasen has started I fancy SA from here. WI badly need wickets at 74/3

by KP_fan Mon 24 Jun - 5:15

alfie wrote:Oh hi , KP_fan... nice to have some company on here The way Klaasen has started I fancy SA from here. WI badly need wickets at 74/3

Have to drive my daughter to university so woke up early to find rain has delayed the result and hence chance to watch.
Klassen gone now , pooran doesn't miss this time, the take

by alfie Mon 24 Jun - 5:16

And there is a wicket...and a big one, Klaasen undone by a later from Joseph. Top catch by the keeper! Game still alive at 77/4 , but SA have Miller in so favourites to get another 46 in 9 overs barring a choke Wink

by KP_fan Mon 24 Jun - 5:29

Need to bring in a close in slip

by alfie Mon 24 Jun - 5:29

Sensible batting from SA , and some good strikes by Klaasen , Markham and now Stubbs has SA looking good at 89/4. No need to take risks now , and the wet ball has pretty much killed the WI spinners. Russell with his last over needs a hat trick I think...though they do seem to be in fashion lately Wink

by alfie Mon 24 Jun - 5:34

Here's Chase...can he work a miracle ? Think he saves them for England Wink

aha ...he clean bowls Miller ! 93/5...SA dressing room might be a little twitchy now...

by KP_fan Mon 24 Jun - 5:35

Ain't over yet , Chase clean bowls Miller
30 off 32, with 5 in hand

by KP_fan Mon 24 Jun - 5:41

A Jordan/ Cummins type over needed by WI here

by alfie Mon 24 Jun - 5:42

Chase again ! Stubbs caught long on and 100/6...run ball needed...tension rising !

by alfie Mon 24 Jun - 5:51

No joy for Joseph in his last over . SA poised to do this , 13 off two overs...Chase to continue...has he got more magic up his sleeve ? Yes he has ! Maharaj caught mid off and it is 110/7

by KP_fan Mon 24 Jun - 5:52

7 down
They are choking to Chase.
13 from 10

by KP_fan Mon 24 Jun - 5:55

Pooran's keeping might cost them match

by alfie Mon 24 Jun - 5:56

What a spell from Chase...3/12 from his three...but that last ball boundary was vital for SA ...need just 5 from the last. McCoy won't stop that...

by KP_fan Mon 24 Jun - 6:00

Ind vs Eng semis as little fluffs by WK and fielding slips in tight moments lose WI the game

by alfie Mon 24 Jun - 6:00

One ball was enough ...Jansen brings SA home for yet another wafer thin victory. Is this their WC to finally taste the cup ? West Indies tried hard but sadly for the home fans, that loss to England has seen them eliminated

by alfie Mon 24 Jun - 6:06

Confidently calling the other group results then , KP_fan ? Or are you predicting a wash out in the India/Australia game ?We will see soon enough...

by KP_fan Mon 24 Jun - 7:42

alfie wrote:Confidently calling the other group results then , KP_fan ? Or are you predicting a wash out in the India/Australia game ?We will see soon enough...

Aus will have at most 2 wins and cannot take over India on NRR, even if they win
So India tops & plays the 2nd from other group i.e Eng
Repeat of last world-cup's s.f

by Sponsored content