Sri Lankans can stuff Kiwis and advance

All Super 8 games will be keenly contested:

The preliminary games in the 2012 Twenty20 World Cup have been completed with no hiccups as all fancied teams entered the Super Eight.

While Sri Lanka, New Zealand, England, West Indies, South Africa, Pakistan Australia and India went through, the drop outs were Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Ireland and Afghanistan.

Fortunately the weather that turned fickle towards the end of the prelims, did not toss out any of the fancied teams from the Super Eight. The Windies had enough in their reserve tank to go through although their game against Ireland was washed off after the Ireland innings.

High octane cricket

Now with high octane cricket expected with the action moving on to Pallekele,it is hoped that the rain cocks will not cock a snook and pour down and spoil the games and make a mockery of it by reducing the overs further like what happened in the Sri Lanka- South Africa game in Hambantota.

Today will be played the first two games in the Super Eight with Sri Lanka facing New Zealand at 3.30 p.m. and England locking horns with the West Indians at the lovely looking Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

At the time of writing the weather is holding in Pallekle and it is hoped it will remain that way and allow the full 20 overs a side and nothing less.

The Captains and selectors will be in a quandary whether to go in with pace or spin considering that there could be a sudden change in the weather. Normally the wicket and the conditions here favour seam bowling.

Good fielding a must

But what will matter most is the fielding. No excuses however good will hold for dropped catches and misfields. Also run outs must be eliminated at all costs.

Indications are that there will be a full house at Pallekele cheering for a Sri Lanka victory. The Lankans with easily the best and most experienced of skipper in the tournament Mahela Jayewardene to show them how, should stuff the Kiwis. The Lankan camp will heave a sigh of relief now that vice captain and all rounder Anjelo Matthews and spin sensation Ajantha Mendis have been cleared to take the field.

The Lankans must forget their 7-over match defeat to South Africa and start anew. Man to man they are the better team with performers of the caliber of Tillekeratne Dilshan, Dilshan Munaweera, the skipper, Kumar Sangakkara, Lahiru Thirimanne,Thisara Perera and Matthews in batting, with Nuwan Kulesekera, Perera, Matthews, Ajantha Mendis and Jeevan Mendis to skittle the Kiwis.

McCullum fury

In the New Zealand batting, the man who the Lankans should strive to dismiss early is Brendon McCullum. McCullum unleashed his fury against the Afghans and helped his team to a big total. Others expected to chip in with runs are skipper Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, James Franklin, and Jacob Oram with the bowling in the hands of Kyle Mills, Oram,Nathan McCullum and Tim Southee.

Even contest

The game between the reigning champions England and West Indies will be closely contested with England determined to show that their thrashing by the Indians was just one of those things. The Englishmen will sure take inspiration from that defeat and come hard at the West Indians cheered on lustily by the big noise making Barmy Army.

England has only the T20 World Cup to crow about. They have never laid hands on the 50 over World Cup although playing in every tournament since its inception in 1975.It must be galling to them. England will be hoping for a blazing start shown the way by Craig Kieswetter. Luke Wright who bashed a stunning 99 in the first game must repeat with runs coming off the bats of Alex Hales, Jonny Bairstow and Eoin Morgan.

Finn’s dirty habit

In bowling Steven Finn still seems to be having that dirty habit of knocking over the bails before delivering. He or his bowling coach, have not paid attention to correcting it.

Captain Stuart Broad, Jade Dernbach and Tim Bresnan will do the seaming, with Graeme Swann to shoulder the spin burden. In the West Indian batting the cynosure of all eyes will be Chris Gayle ‘the whale’. Hill Capital cricket fans are yearning to see him send the ball rocket like over the ropes.Not to do so will be a big disappointment.

Runs are also expected from Johnson Charles, Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard and Andre Russel. Fidel Edwards and Ravi Rampaul will have to give the Windies the early wickets.

However the bowler to watch will be Sunil Narine. No batsman has been able to read his many variety of spin. It will be interesting to watch how the England batsmen will tackle him.

Over then to Pallekele and thrill a minute first two games in the Super Eight. Pallekele, Wednesday.