World T20 discussion thread

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

First topic message reminder :

This is fast approaching in the UAE, and squads are beginning to be announced. England have announced theirs this morning

England's preliminary squad for the World T20;

Jason Roy
Jos Buttler
Dawid Malan
Jonny Bairstow
Liam Livingstone
Eoin Morgan
Sam Billings
Moeen Ali
Sam Curran
Chris Woakes
David Willey
Adil Rashid
Mark Wood
Chris Jordan
Tymal Mills

Reserves: James Vince, Liam Dawson, Tom Curran

Looks a solid squad, albeit the team has taken a hit in recent months with Archer's injury and then Stokes's withdrawal from international duty.
Billings in as the main batting backup, makes sense to me. He's played well in limited opportunity the past few summers.
I am a touch surprised both Woakes and Willey are in the squad...seems like they both do the same role to me?
Seems harsh, but happy no Tom Curran. He's not played well enough to be included.
I see some "why no Parkinson?" and it does seem a tad weird he isn't in reserve...but ultimately in T20 can you afford to carry someone like him, who while is a good bowler, is a liability in the field and offers absolutely nothing with the bat. I can see why Dawson is the chosen reserve over him, with those considerations.

I think the likely XI is;

Roy
Buttler
Malan
Bairstow
Livingstone
Morgan
Ali
Woakes
Rashid
Wood
Mills

The real selection choices in there are between Woakes/Jordan, and Moeen/Sam Curran. Rest looks fairly set in stone to me

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

About as worst case a scenario innings for Malan/England that - horrendously out of touch, used up the powerplay and then out right after. Ooft

Morgan now…

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Morgan given out LBW for 10 (11) - when he clearly hit it to backward point?!

Thank god we’ll have DRS in the actual thing!

[JDizzle]

Scotland’s net run rate is +0.575, Bangladesh’s is +0.5 and Oman’s is +0.613

So basically that Scotland/Oman game is a straight shootout (providing Bangladesh do the business against PNG, which barring something incredible they will). Can’t really see a scenario where Scotland lose, Bangladesh win and that net run rate stays in Scotland’s favour

Ironically, England will probably be rooting for Scotland to lose - and not for the usual reasons!

Scotland winning the group and Bangladesh in second would mean Bangladesh in England’s group. And in these conditions, Bangladesh could still be a real handful.

[guildfordbat]

Not sure we can read a lot into a 12 man XI! Bah damn you England

Hope Malan/Morgan get some runs

Yeah, no excitement or buzz generated for this viewer! I've switched to the Netherlands / Namibia game where the latter are giving it a real go.

[king_carlos]

Dilly bowling much better today thankfully.

That's a really poor dismissal from Santner though. He just sort of poked at it with planted feet!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Yes have also switched over Guildford - 45 off 6 overs with 7 wickets in hand! Namibia in with a real shot here

[king_carlos]

With Livingstone taking the opening over, plus Malan and Morgan batting so poorly I once again can't help but think that Joe Root would be an ideal addition to this squad.

[Duty281]

It's been a very ragged bowling display by the Dutch. They're still in it but only just.

Would have it down as another upset if Namibia can close out the win.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Namibia! Amazing chase from the “bomb squad” in their middle order. Did it with an over to spare in the end, superb and now a real shot of qualifying!

[king_carlos]

Wonderful stuff from Namibia. Just great to see. Wiese showing all his class there.

The Netherland's strength is their seam bowling and their batsman play seam bowling well. When the World Cup moved from Australia to UAE it will have really hurt their plans.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

What a start by Ireland! 9-3 off 2 overs, Chandimal, Perera and Fernando back in the hutch, electric over from Josh Little!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Great fightback by Hasaranga and Nissanka to get to 78-3 off 10 overs - Ireland really struggling without a reliable spin option in these middle overs.

Pitch doesn't look horrendous, and we saw Namibia chase a 160+ score earlier - so in the balance!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Quite frankly woeful stuff from Simi Singh here

[JDizzle]

Little gets a third. I know they wanted to save him for the death, but he probably should have come back earlier with how that partnership was going.

[Duty281]

Great win for Namibia earlier, full credit to them.

Don't think Ireland bowled too badly in the main - it was a fantastic innings from Hasaranga with good support from Nissanka at the other end. Little was superb with the ball, but Singh (the ultimate bits and pieces cricketer) was dismal and Campher (flattered by his four wickets the other day) was wayward. Don't give Ireland much chance of chasing this down, they'll need Stirling to bat long to have any hope.

If Sri Lanka do win, it sets up a winner-takes-all clash between Ireland and Namibia on Friday.

Tidy wins for England and India in the warm-up games, and Afghanistan have pulverised the West Indian bowling attack.

Oh, Stirling's gone. No way back now.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Nabi bowled four overs, for two runs and three wickets! In the (rightful) hype of Rashid Khan, it’s lost that on these slow low wickets, Nabi is an exceptional bowler

I’m super excited for Afghanistan at this tournament. An absolute blitz of sexy spin, Naveen Ul-Haq an excellent death others seamer and the usual crazy batting lineup that could be all out for 75 or hit 200 off their 20 overs.
Slightly disappointed they didn’t bring Qais Ahmed and go ultra spin!

[Duty281]

Bangladesh on course to hammer PNG - 181 for Bangladesh after a late flurry of six-hitting, PNG floundering on 13/2 in reply.

Scotland's win over Bangladesh counting for little in the qualification stakes, they'll need to beat Oman or they're out (then again I suppose a tie is just as good).

[Duty281]

PNG all out for 97. The end of the tournament for them. Bangladesh rebounding with two solid wins after being turned over by Scotland.

Crunch time for Scotland and Oman now.

[Duty281]

Oman winning the toss and batting first. Interesting.

As well as deciding who goes into the Super 12s, this game also decides qualification for the 2022 T20 World Cup. The winner here will qualify for that tournament, the loser will have to go through a further qualification process.

[king_carlos]

Strong start for Scotland.

37-2 after the PP.

The Jatinder run out was pretty disastrous!

Coetzer sticking with 2 overs each from Wheal, Davey and Sharif up to so that he has 6 overs from his seamers to use later on.

Watt straight on after the PP. He's bowled so well thus far in the tournament. An absolutely vital player for Scotland.

[king_carlos]

Aqib goes for 37 from 35. Having taken the time to get set he needed to go on.

Importantly for Scotland they've now got Greaves and Leask bowling to two batsman that aren't set. If Scotland get through to the Super 12 then I expect the 4 overs from Greaves and Leask will be where teams target their bowling. The first 2 overs from them here have gone for 7 runs and a wicket.

10 overs to come with 8 able to be bowled by Wheal, Davey, Sharif and Watt. Ideal for Scotland.

[king_carlos]

Just as I send that post Wheal comes back for his 3rd over and the first ball goes for 6

[CaledonianCraig]

Key part of the match right here. Oman looking to up the run rate and Scotland striving for wickets but missing chances. Sharif strikes though and Oman now 93 for 5 after 14.5 overs.

[king_carlos]

Wickets keeping to fall as Oman look to accelerate.

It's been a very disciplined bowling display by Scotland.

Oman will be wanting Maqsood to drag them up to 140 but if wickets keep falling Scotland could keep it closer to 120.

I'd guess Watt and Davey will bowl out for 3 of the final 4 overs. Then the last going to Sharif or Wheal, with how they've each bowled today it should be Sharif.

[Duty281]

Looking good for Scotland. Despite some fielding errors they've kept picking away at the Oman batting order - down to Zeeshan to see if Oman can get up to a credible 130+.

I understand that maybe they didn't want the pressure of chasing a score, but I think it was a really poor call from Oman to bat first.

[CaledonianCraig]

Oman collapse to be bowled out for 122 after their full 20 overs.. Scotland need 123 to win. A total you'd expect them to make.

[king_carlos]

Scotland's to lose from here.

I'd still expect and hope for Coetzer and Munsey to play their natural games and attack through the PP though.

[Duty281]

Bit ragged from both teams, but Scotland will be far the happier. Should chase it down, not a gimme on this pitch though and the pressure in a game of this importance could have an effect.

Oman need at least three wickets in the PP.

[king_carlos]

Interesting that if Scotland make 121 but lose they will go through on net RR!

Unlikely but not impossible.

[Duty281]

Makes it a fraction easier for Scotland, I suppose!

Think if Oman bowl Scotland out for 43 or fewer then they'll top the group.

[CaledonianCraig]

A comfortable start for Scotland. 29 for 0 after 4.1 overs.

[CaledonianCraig]

Oman get the badly needed wicket of George Munsey. Scotland are 33 for 1.

[king_carlos]

Munsey holes out. Huge wicket. He's Scotland's most dangerous batsman and was looking set.

[king_carlos]

Big 6 from Coetzer to end the PP.

45-1 from 6 overs

It would be really useful for Scotland if Coetzer can find some form.

[CaledonianCraig]

Big 6 from Coetzer to end the PP.

45-1 from 6 overs

It would be really useful for Scotland if Coetzer can find some form.

Indeed. He follows that up with another big six and a 4. Coetzer onto 31 and Scotland 58 for 1 after 7 overs.

[king_carlos]

Coetzer's been in poor form but wasn't named associate player of the decade for no reason. He's been a terrific opener and captain for Scotland. Him finding form alongside Munsey at the top would be massive going into the Super 12 (fingers crossed!). Especially with Oli Hairs being injured meaning that Scotland have gone in with an extra bowling all rounder in Greaves rather than an extra power hitter up the top.

[CaledonianCraig]

Another massive Coetzer 6 takes him onto 40. 72 for 1 from 9 overs.

[CaledonianCraig]

Poor shot choice and timing from Coetzer and he is bowled for 41. Scotland 75 for 2 from 10 overs.

[CaledonianCraig]

Two 6s from Berrington and Scotland surely can't throw it away from here? They are 101 for 2 from 14 overs.

[Duty281]

Really good chase from Scotland. Sometimes, with a low target, you see chasing teams lured into playing more negatively. Scotland have just played their natural game. Three wins from three, great start for them and qualification secured for next year's T20 World Cup.

Scotland will go into Group 2, with Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, New Zealand and Ireland/Namibia. First game v Afghanistan on the 25th.

Bangladesh into Group 1. Going to be a super competitive group with England/South Africa/West Indies/Bangladesh all jostling for two places, not forgetting Australia and Sri Lanka who are both capable of throwing in upsets.

[CaledonianCraig]

And Scotland complete a comfortable win to seal a spot in the Super12 stage and qualify for the next T-20 World Cup. Well done Scotland. A momentous win for them.

[king_carlos]

3 from 3 for Scotland. Brilliant stuff from a team that has built impressively over a good few years. I'm especially delighted for them after how hard hit they were by covid. A member of the squad is 1st XI captain and seniors coach at the club I play for, 2020 was brutal for that squad not just from a cricketing perspective but especially a financial one for many of them.

25 October - Afghanistan
27 October - A2 qualifier (either Ireland or Namibia)
3 November - New Zealand
5 November - India
7 November - Pakistan

Scotland should really fancy themselves for a couple of wins from that.

I'd have them as favourites against either Ireland or Namibia.

New Zealand have picked a pretty poor squad for the conditions I think. Their spinners wont scare many and I just can't understand having Adam Milne as a reserve.

Pakistan have some fantastic individuals but an XI without much balance.

I could see Afghanistan being a tougher matchup than either New Zealand or Pakistan.

India are of course a fantastic T20 outfit who I have as fairly strong favourites in these conditions with England having lost Archer and Stokes.

[guildfordbat]

Wasn't able to watch today's game but seems to have been a comfortable and convincing win for Scotland.

See Davey got MotM. He's ben a regular and dependable bowler for Somerset who deserves a day in the sun.

[king_carlos]

Wasn't able to watch today's game but seems to have been a comfortable and convincing win for Scotland.

See Davey got MotM. He's ben a regular and dependable bowler for Somerset who deserves a day in the sun.

Agree with that completely, Guildford. His record across all formats is enviable and deserved. He's got a reputation as a very hard working bowler which you'd expect of a seamer at Ciderbad!

[Duty281]

Ireland v Namibia in just over an hour's time. Another winner-takes-all clash. Would be a big surprise to see Namibia in the Super 12s, but after their unexpected victory over the Dutch they've given themselves a decent shot.

Sri Lanka v the Netherlands is a dead rubber. Even if Sri Lanka lose they should still top the group on NRR.

[alfie]

Scotland haven't done much wrong so far : OK a couple of ragged patches (late batting collapse , some loose bowling) but nothing that has derailed them - a deserved group top.

Now the hard work starts ; but they will perhaps almost feel anything else is a bonus , so should be able to play with freedom and confidence. Not sure I rate their chances against Pakistan or NZ but who knows ? It is t20 ...

At least they won't be able to surprise England unless they make the semis

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Agree with all comments - superb work by Scotland. Our club Director of Cricket, Chris Brown, is with the squad as a spin/performance coach and has been popping in videos and pictures of their training camp in our club whatsapp, they clearly have a fantastic team spirit going which is translating to performances!

I think they should be aiming to win a game in the next round - anything more a bonus, think they would be slightly disappointed to not get one win, and maybe run one of the "established" nations close.

Also, do think Namibia have a decent shot today - they have hitters in that batting middle order, and if they come off I am not sure Ireland's bowling is strong enough in those middle overs to contain them. Would make Ireland favourites, but by no means unbeatable!

Finally - a word for a team missing from this World Cup, and a little sad the sign of the times for cricket in the country where I don't think I've seen it covered by a major cricket outlet that they aren't here...but do think Zimbabwe would have gone well in these conditions. Gone are the days of Ray Price, but they do still have some good bowlers and capable batsmen. A shame as around 2018/19 it looked like they were beginning to get their cricketing house in shape, but as ever, a setback and then the suspension means it's in turmoil again

[guildfordbat]

Looking forward to this one. I fancy Ireland. Organised and experienced outfit.

I've liked their skipper Balbirnie for a long time - reads the game well and plays the situation.

Niall O'Brien singing the praises of Graham Ford on Sky - ''wonderful coach ... very calm individual''. Strongly go along with that based on Ford's time at Surrey and also Kent where I know Rob Key was an admirer.

[guildfordbat]

Ireland 43/0 off 5.

Stirling starting to fire with 33 off 18.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Good fightback from Namibia after the powerplay - 84-2 off 12 overs now, run rate has been dragged back to 7 an over.

Interestingly poised

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