World T20 preview: Team-by-team guide, odds, players to watch and who could win
A look at all the teams competing to win the 2016 World T20
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Could they go all the way? Trevor Bayliss’ young side are certainly full of promise and with explosive batting all the way down the order they definitely have some of the weaponry required to bring home the trophy. However with Steven Finn injured, their bowling looks a little short of penetration – much will rely on Adil Rashid – not to mention that the majority of the batting line up have little experience of Indian conditions and could be prone to collapse under the pressure. Despite this, should the team click early on, they remain dark horses for the tournament and whatever happens their games look like they’ll be fairly eventful.
World T20 history
Super 8/10s: 2007, 2009, 2012, 2014
Winners: 2010
Key man
Jos Buttler – Snapped up by the Mumbai Indians for this season’s IPL, and England’s main man in 50-over cricket, this tournament is a real chance for the mild-mannered Buttler to make himself a true global star of the game.
One to watch
Adil Rashid – One of the standout performers in the most recent Big Bash, with their bowling attack looking a little thin, England’s hopes of winning may well rest on the ability of Rashid to take a hatful of wickets in India’s spin friendly conditions.
Odds: 7/1
South Africa
Yet to reach a World T20 final, could this be their year? The chokers tag may be a little unwarranted but until they can bring home some silverware it is bound to persist. With some big hitters in their line up and an effective if not necessarily devastating bowling attack, South Africa could well prove tricky opponents. It remains to be seen if they have what it takes to go all the way.
World T20 history
Super 8/10s: 2007, 2010, 2012
Semi-finals: 2009, 2014
Key man
AB De Villiers – Six-hitting machine, all round athlete and on his day the most dangerous T20 batsman around, undoubtedly central to South Africa’s hopes of winning the tournament.
One to watch
Kagiso Rabada – The most exciting new fast bowler in world cricket, the tournament conditions may not suit him perfectly, but he looks a fearsome proposition to face anyway.
Odds: 7/2
Sri Lanka
Still recovering from the retirements of cricketing legends Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, this tournament may have come a little soon for Sri Lanka. However the unpredictability of T20 cricket and their knowledge and suitability to the subcontinental conditions will still make them tricky opponents. Perhaps the lack of expectation surrounding this side could work in their favour.
World T20 history
Super 8/10s: 2007
Semi-finals: 2010
Runners Up: 2009, 2012
Winners: 2014
Key man
Angelo Mathews – The man tasked with keeping Sri Lanka together in the post Sanga-wardene era, a lot will rely on his ability to keep things calm. Not to mention his skill with the bat and to a lesser extent the ball.
One to watch
Dushmantha Chameera – Has made a promising start to his Test career and appears to be adapting well to T20s although it is perhaps not his best format yet. His pace gives the Sri Lankan bowling attack a bit of extra edge.
Odds: 25/1
West Indies
Surely the biggest unknown package in the tournament, seemingly just as likely to implode in the group stages as go all the way and win the thing. Their squad contains some hugely experienced T20 performers who on their day could prove a match for anyone, however nothing is usually that simple with West Indies cricket.
World T20 history
Group Stage: 2007
Super 8/10s: 2010
Semi-finals: 2009, 2014
Winners: 2012
Key man
Chris Gayle – Knows the conditions well from his various IPL exploits and is on his day a near-unstoppable force with the bat. West Indies need him at his best.
One to watch
Samuel Badree – By no means a new name, but Badree’s spin will surely be crucial if West Indies are to mount a serious challenge.
Odds: 12/1
Afghanistan
Ousted full members Zimbabwe in the tournament’s farcical first round and are a hugely exciting and somewhat unpredictable side. Certain to provide some entertainment and should not be underestimated.
World T20 history
Group Stage: 2010, 2012, 2014
Key man
Mohammad Nabi – A danger with both bat and ball and one of the most experienced members of Afghanistan’s side.
One to watch
Mohammad Shazad – The wicket-keeper batsman may have a body shape and technique that is rarely seen in cricket, but he is mightily effective in full flow and a joy to watch.
Odds: 200/1
Australia
Perhaps a slightly unknown quantity, they have a side that is undeniably talented, but perhaps not so much in Indian conditions. The lack of a top quality spinner looks to be a real problem for them as well as well documented frailties against spin bowling. However should some of their stars find form they could be a different proposition, and nevertheless Australia usually always find a way to remain a tricky opponent.
World T20 history
Group Stage: 2009
Super 8/10s: 2014
Semi-finals: 2007, 2012
Runners Up: 2010
Key man
Glenn Maxwell – Unlike almost any other player in cricket, his unorthodox hitting could provide the spark for some fearsome Australian totals.
One to watch
James Faulkner – While Faulkner is an already established talent, his experience of the conditions from stints in the IPL, combined with his all round batting and bowling abilities, could make this his tournament to shine.
Odds: 9/2
New Zealand
They’ll miss the talismanic Brendon McCullum and have traditionally been the weakest of the big sides in previous World T20s, and in somewhat unfamiliar conditions, it seems unlikely that this will be the tournament for them to change that.
World T20 history
Super 8/10s: 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014
Semi-finals: 2007
Key man
Kane Williamson – One of the best batsmen in world cricket, Williamson may not have the power of some of his rivals, but he more than makes up for it with strokesmanship, a lot will rest on his shoulders for New Zealand.
One to watch
Mitchell Santner – Looks a promising all round cricketer, a useful middle to lower order hitter and potentially a threat in India’s spin-friendly conditions.
Odds: 10/1
Pakistan
Perhaps surprisingly they are arguably the most consistent side in World T20s, only once failing to get past the Super 8/10 stage. With the recent Pakistan Super League playing some of their players into form, and a good knowledge of the conditions, they could be in with a real chance. Then again Pakistan never look more than a few steps away from disaster so are perhaps just as likely to implode and crash out early on.
World T20 history
Super 8/10s: 2014
Semi-finals: 2010, 2012
Runners Up: 2007
Winners: 2010
Key man
Mohammad Amir – Back from his spot-fixing ban and a force to be reckoned with again, his wickets could take Pakistan far.
One to watch
Mohammad Nawaz – Might not make the first choice starting XI, but if he is given a chance, his exploits in the recent PSL showed him to be a promising young all round talent.
Odds: 16/1
India
It is difficult to see anyone else as favourites for the tournament, and in home conditions they will be very tricky to beat. At this stage it looks like this will be India’s tournament to lose, although other sides will hope that perhaps the pressure of playing at home may get to them.
World T20 history
Super 8/10s: 2009, 2010, 2012
Runners Up: 2014
Winners: 2007
Key man
Virat Kohli – One of the most feared batsmen in world cricket, particularly in home conditions, this looks like is could be his tournament.
One to watch
Ravi Ashwin – Already an established name, for many people he is the best spinner in the game, and in home conditions he will be a tricky prospect.
Odds: 2/1
Bangladesh
Runners up in the recent Asia Cup, they have already been made to go through the indignity of effectively pre-qualifying for this tournament. Easily cricket’s most improved side, they will be a difficult opponent in these conditions and could be more than a match for almost any side there.
World T20 history
Group Stage: 2009, 2010, 2012
Super 8/10s: 2007, 2014
Key man
Tamim Iqbal – Enjoyed a decent PSL and already has a century in the tournament, will be, along with Shakib Al-Hasan, central to Bangladesh’s hopes.
One to watch
Mustafizur Rahman – Under a slight injury cloud, however he has made a blistering start to his cricketing career and if fit looks likely to trouble batsmen.
Odds: 25/1
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