It has been a while since Cricket had a T20 World Cup. Initially, ICC had proposed to organize a similar tournament once every two years. So, when the first Twenty-twenty World Cup took place in 2007, it was followed by in year 2009, 2010 (owing to ODI WC in 2011), 2012, 2014 and 2016. The excitement rises a notch up this time around as the cricketing fans have been waiting for this mega event since five long years.
A T20 format was brought into fore so as to provide entertainment and make people sit and watch the game for 3 and half hours rather than spending a complete day watching a ODI or a day of Test match. But, as the time has gone by since the inaugural World Cup, T20 format is becoming quite a similar patterned game following the steps of ODI cricket.
When we think about T20, both the opening matches of the T20 World Cup and Indian Premier League flash in front of our closed eyes. The Chris Gayle Hundred topped by Herschelle Gibbs’s winning 90 and Brendon McCullum’s 158 in both the respective tournaments had set the T20 Cricket ablaze. This format is on a verge where it once again needs a fresh injection of entertainment dose going into the tournament.
Tournament Format:
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021(UAE) is to be played between 12 teams which are divided into 2 equal groups. The league phase will be called as ‘Super 12’ where a team in each group will face all the opponents within the group once (i.e., 5 league matches per team), and the top two from both the groups will directly play the semi-finals after the league stage.
Group 1 have Australia, England, South Africa, West Indies while Group 2 have India, Pakistan, New Zealand, Afghanistan. Apart from this, two teams were scheduled to be added to both the groups on the basis of Round 1 that happened during 17-22 October.
The Round 1 of T20 World Cup featured Scotland, Bangladesh, Oman and Papua New Guinea in one group and Sri Lanka, Ireland, Namibia, Netherlands in the other. Scotland and Bangladesh managed to advance from the Group B to Group 1 of Super 12 while Sri Lanka and Namibia managed to make it to Group 2 of Super 12 from Group A.
Game 1 of Super 12:
The Super 12 stage begins with Australia taking on South Africa. Forget the names on the team sheets or even the form of both these teams as we know it will always be a cracker of a match when Australia faces South Africa in any format of the game.
Coming into the tournament:
Australia have come a long way in this format, moving from Hayden-Gilchrist to Warner-Finch. If they had Ricky Ponting then, it is Steve Smith now. Similar has been the scenario with Glenn Maxwell for Andew Symonds, Hazelwood for McGrath, Starc for Lee and so one. Another thing that remains intact for the Aussies over the years is their ‘never give up’ attitude.
South Africa on the other hand are far away from matching with their former selves. Forget the likes of Gramme Smith, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Shaun Pollock or Makhaya Ntini; they some how find themselves in this tournament even without Ab de Villers, Faf du Plessis, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir and Chris Morris. Such has been a double transition phase for this nation. However, both the mentioned groups couldn’t win a World Cup for their team and thus, the loss isn’t that big as it appears. They will be hoping to inject freshness into the camp this year with a bunch of young and talented players in this tournament.
Squads:
Australia
With David Warner and Aaron Finch at the top, Australia has one of the most dangerous left-right opening combination in this World Cup. Both the players are out of form though and Aussies will be expecting them to lit the tournament right from the beginning.
Mitch Marsh is likely to take the number 3 spot followed by Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell. Marcus Stoinis could very well play the role of a floater in this star-studded line up. With Maxwell coming into the tournament on the back of a good run in the IPL, he could prove to be Australia’s x-factor in this World Cup.
A heavy pace attack of Starc-Cummins-Hazelwood is what the Aussies will bank on in the field.
Squad: Aaron Finch (capt), David Warner, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Wade, Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Josh Inglis.
South Africa
In all likeliness, South Africa are set to open the batting with their captain Temba Bavuma and the former captain Quinton de Kock. The openers will be followed by the upcoming sensation Aiden Markram who also has been in a terrific form in this format.
The likes of Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen will solidify the middle order.
Much like the Aussies, South Africa also has a pace trio (Rabada-Nortje-Ngidi) who could be their ace combination in this tournament.
Squad: Temba Bavuma (capt), Keshav Maharaj, Quinton de Kock (wk), Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen.
Warm-up games:
Australia won their first warm-up game against New Zealand on the penultimate ball, whereas, they were comprehensively beaten by a strong Indian lineup in the second match.
South Africa on the other hand won both their warm-up games against Afghanistan and Pakistan respectively.
Match Info:
Match No. 13 – Super 12 Group 1
Australia vs South Africa
23rd October 2021, Saturday
3:30 pm IST
At Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi (UAE)
Probable XI:
Australia - David Warner, Aaron Finch (c), Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazelwood.
South Africa - Temba Bavuma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Henrich Klassen, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi.
