Group C - Australia, Sri Lanka, West Indies

[rivera213]

Does just one team from each group go forward? Or is there a second round of 8 teams? Can't remember. If it's 2 I'd pick Aus and SL, but Windies could easily upset either side. Seems silly to have such a strong group when you have India, Bangladesh & Ireland in another.

The top 2 from each of the groups go into 2 seperate groups of 4, then the top 2 of the 2 new groups play the semi finals and then India beat South Africa by 5 runs in the final.

Group Standings | ICC World Twenty20 2009

[oitoitoi]

Cheers, had totally forgotten last time's format, so much better than a round robin in the second round, I've heard that somewhere in Nevis (or maybe the Leeward Isles) the last WC is still going on...

[chaminda_00]

TBH I reckon West Indies are a better Twenty20 side then us. Reckon it going to be pretty tough getting out of this group if our batsmen don't learn how to bat in this format. A lot of pressure will be on Dilshan and Jayasuriya. Bowling wise we will be tough to score off. Malinga, Murali, Thurshara, Mendis and Maharoof is pretty good attack for mine.

[shivfan]

Is Dwayne Smith playing for WI in this WC?

He's a Kolpak playing for Sussex, and is therefore unavailable for selection....

[oitoitoi]

Dwayne Smith should seriously reconsider his Kolpak status, the way he's hitting it he'd be a shoe in for the WI T20 squad. Still don't really get how some players are so quick to give up on their dreams, you'd think choosing a career as a professional sportsmen they wouldn't be risk averse people.

[SirBloody Idiot]

Dwayne Smith should seriously reconsider his Kolpak status, the way he's hitting it he'd be a shoe in for the WI T20 squad. Still don't really get how some players are so quick to give up on their dreams, you'd think choosing a career as a professional sportsmen they wouldn't be risk averse people.

But beyond that, where does he go? I can't see him becoming a permanent fixture in the ODI side, so why give up a (presumably) lucrative deal for a county side for less than ten games a year?

[oitoitoi]

But beyond that, where does he go? I can't see him becoming a permanent fixture in the ODI side, so why give up a (presumably) lucrative deal for a county side for less than ten games a year?

I suppose it's a question of how good does Dwayne Smith think he is? Bear in mind T20 internationals are probably going to seriously increase in number after this tournament. I think he's got a fair shot at the ODI side, especially if Kieron Pollard continues to fail with the bat. Himself and Bravo could form a potent lower middle order, his electric fielding would help his case too.

[shivfan]

Dwayne Smith did pretty well at the four-day game for Barbados too, and could easily be in for a recall to the WI side for the longer form of the game. Hey, if Ryan Hinds and Devon Smith could be recalled, so could Dwayne!

He's only 25, after all....

But the feeling is that a county contract is more lucrative than a WI contract now. This Kolpak situation is really hurting teams like the WI. I really hope it's sorted out soon....

[rivera213]

TBH I reckon West Indies are a better Twenty20 side then us. Reckon it going to be pretty tough getting out of this group if our batsmen don't learn how to bat in this format. A lot of pressure will be on Dilshan and Jayasuriya. Bowling wise we will be tough to score off. Malinga, Murali, Thurshara, Mendis and Maharoof is pretty good attack for mine.

I disagree.

I fancy you to beat the W.Indies convincingly and maybe even upset Australia if everything clicks. The Aussie bowling ain't great and I wouldn't fancy coming up against a top 5 as:

Jayasuriya
Tharanga
Sangakarra
Jayawardene
Dilshan

and a main quartet of bowling like so:

Malinga
Maharoof
Mendis
Murali

If even half of those are on form.

It swings over here and if Malinga is hitting 140-145kph I can see him being the top wicket taker IAH.

[Nnanden]

Will be Australia's first exposure to Mendis.

Hahahaha, your best work yet.

Thinking

David Warner
Shane Watson
Brad Haddin
Ricky Ponting
Andrew Symonds
Michael Hussey
David Hussey
Mitchell Johnson
Nathan Hauritz
Brett Lee
Nathan Bracken

with Siddle only being rested so he can play Ashes.

[social]

Oz will go out in round 1

They've picked a test side (supplemented by a few ringers) who'll have their eyes firmly set upon the Ashes and will will be gone before they knows what hit them

[jondavluc]

Oz will go out in round 1

They've picked a test side (supplemented by a few ringers) who'll have their eyes firmly set upon the Ashes and will will be gone before they knows what hit them

David Warner
Shane Watson
Brad Haddin
Ricky Ponting
Andrew Symonds
Michael Hussey
David Hussey
Mitchell Johnson
Nathan Hauritz
Brett Lee
Nathan Bracken
Peter Siddle
Ben Hilfenhaus
James Hopes
Michael Clarke

I don't know what makes you think that is a test side.If that was the squad they announced for the Ashes I would have cried. Besides Micheal Clarke, and Ben Hilfenhaus.I can't think of too many in their who you would call a "Test" player.One day squad Yeah possibly but Test I can't agree with.

[Trumpers_Ghost]

David Warner
Shane Watson
Brad Haddin
Ricky Ponting
Andrew Symonds
Michael Hussey
David Hussey
Mitchell Johnson
Nathan Hauritz
Brett Lee
Nathan Bracken

with Siddle only being rested so he can play Ashes.

The eleven looks about right although Haddin certainly wont bat at three; probably moved to below Dussey with everyone else moving up. Would also presume that they will play Clarke, whether its a good idea or not.

I might go:
David Warner
Shane Watson
Ricky Ponting
Andrew Symonds
David Hussey
Michael Hussey
Micheal Clarke
Brad Haddin
Mitchell Johnson
Brett Lee
Nathan Bracken

A bit batting heavy perhaps, but with enough options.
A variation would be to replace Clarke or Mussey with Siddle or Hauritz.
Hopes and Hifenhaus I see as being players unable to offer anything decent to the team and would therefore not play them at all.

cheers

[inbox24]

Hahahaha, your best work yet.

Thinking

David Warner
Shane Watson
Brad Haddin
Ricky Ponting
Andrew Symonds
Michael Hussey
David Hussey
Mitchell Johnson
Nathan Hauritz
Brett Lee
Nathan Bracken

with Siddle only being rested so he can play Ashes.

Exact same side, except replace Ponting with Ferguson, and bat Ferguson lower.

[Migara]

SL's opening is little bit of a problem. Dilshan is in form, but I am not sure how he'll handle Lee and Johnson coming 90mph at him. Jayasuriya will be hit or miss, and SL should not get him in to the equation. Sangakkara opening against AUS and SAF who has genuinely qick bowlers would be better IMO, as Sanga likes quick bowling. Dilshan had all his succes in IPL batting at #3/4.

My side would be,

Jayasuriya
Sangakkara
Dilshan
Jayawardane
de Saram
Matthews
Maharoof
Kulasekara / Thushara - former against AUS because can bowl the yorker very well.
Murali
Malinga
Mendis