The Twenty Twenty world cup is coming, and I barely contain my general lack of interest. Don’t misunderstand me, 20-20 is a great things for add afflicted kids, single mums of young boys and Tony Greig. But surely it’s a bit too early for a world cup, in fact if they are going to play a world cup, I think they should play it over a long weekend, and have beer and bbq’s in between (yes I know some of the countries don’t drink grog or eat meat, we can have water and tofu at the bbq for them). What surprises me the most is that the countries are taking it seriously, training camps, strategic analysis and Ricky Ponting is thinking of turning up.
This shows that the power of a cheque and a cup is still a force in cricketers and cricket administrators the world over.
It’s hard to believe that you can be paid for what is essentially backyard cricket. But since the cricket community are taking it seriously, (Tony Greig has wood) I should give it at least 8 minutes of my time.
Some English chap invented 20-20, but you’d have to say they will be crap at it, well because they are crap at one day cricket. I can’t see Flintoff taking it seriously since he didn’t take the proper world cup seriously, and England without Freddy are like the Jackson five without Michael. So I’m not spending any more time on them. (Actually I’m imagining Freddy with a black afro singing blame it on the boogie)
Australia are taking it seriously, because Ponting is addicted to winning, like no one other than Hitler before him. Having said that, when you have the best domestic 20 20 player in the world in Cameron White, and he can’t make the tour, you have to worry about their selections. Brad Hodge and Brad Haddin are both very good cricketers, but I think I would have taken White, David Hussey or practically any of the Victorian side (other than Hodge) as they have won both 20 20 domestic comps in Australia. The bowling is interesting as well, cause Australia is crap at bowling at the death in one dayers, and 20 20 is all death. Having said all that I still think they will win, because they are Australia and that’s what they do.
It is a world cup so I’m sure I will live to regret this, but South Africa are a real show here. Firstly because its harder to choke than in any other form of cricket, with less real pressure and all. Secondly their batsmen are all pure strikers of the ball. Sure Graeme Smith is so full of himself he over flows with bull shit, sure his mouth writes cheques that so far in his career his ass has not been able to cash. Yes he has a technique that makes Adam Gilchrist and Lance Klusener look like Mark Waugh, but this form of cricket will favour him and his cronies. Look at the ball, hit the ball, that’s Smith’s best go anyway. It’s when he starts to think, as a batsmen or a captain, everything starts to fall apart. In the bowling they are still short of any real weapons, just old stagers, and handy test bowlers who aren’t really suited to this format. There best go however will be not playing Australia at any stage, cause no matter what Smith says, when they play Australia they all shit themselves at least once, and usually that’s all the Aussies need.
What was Geoff Lawson thinking, I’d rather be Courtney Love’s sponsor than the coach of Pakistan. He has had a lucky break already, with the most overrated bowler in the history of cricket (I’m scanning my brain for someone more overrated, but I can’t think of anything) hit a teammate with a bat and was sent home. I think the best thing for Pakistan cricket would be if Shoaib moved to Bollywood. With all the crap politics shit out of the way, Pakistan are always dangerous in tournaments, because you don’t know what you’re getting, Imran’s tigers or Inzaman’s puppy dogs. They should be suited to this format, as it’s all about free flowing no holds barred cricket, and that’s the only time Pakistan play good cricket.
Sri Lanka are a chance to make a final, but you’d have to say that batting lacks the fireworks to actually win this one. These days they are a classy outfit, who are well lead and so you can’t discount them.
India and New Zealand are wild cards. India played quite well against England in the one dayers, but they still lost the series, and if you lose to England your not really any good are you. They still have some talent, but I’d say they are a long shot to even make the semis. New Zealand plays well in all tournaments, and from memory they may have won the ICC knockout waste of time tournament once. They are well equipped for this game, as every New Zealander is an all rounder at heart, but they are a Cairns short, Lance or Chris.
As for the rest of the minnows (West Indies included), have fun, charge Shaun Pollock, sledge Zaheer Khan and stay away from the Windhoek beer, its made out of engine coolant.
