South Africa only worthy contender for title
Posted on Jun 04, 2009 at 20:21 | Updated Jun 04, 2009 at 20:35
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London: While India enjoy the tag of being favourites to retain their World T20 crown, ignore other teams at your own peril. Brimming with talent, these are some of the other contenders for the right to be called world champions.
With two wins in two warm-up games, and easily at that, Graeme Smith's South Africa have already sent out a warning signal.
The Proteas perfectly combine experience with youth. Herschelle Gibbs and Jacques Kallis enjoyed a successful IPL season. Add Mark Boucher and skipper Smith to the mix and the South Africans have unlimited pedigree to call upon.
In the youthful promise of JP Duminy and Albie Morkel, South Africa have the personnel to make a charge for the title that eluded them on home turf last time around.
Sri lanka could be the proverbial rabbit in the hat. The explosive Sanath Jayasuriya at the top loves a grand stage to perform on. This could be a perfect swansong.
A wealth of middle order riches makes the Lankans candidates. Tillakaratne Dilshan was a revelation in the IPL, skipper Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene ooze quality and class.
And the Lankans bring a unique bowling mix to the table. Lasith Malinga's slingers will be a handful, Muttiah Muralitharan will be frugal, Farveez Maharoof will run in relentlessly while Ajantha Mendis will serve up more mysteries.
Being world champions comes naturally to the Australians, but this is one crown they desperately covet.
In young David Warner, Australia have invested in a free spirited T20 campaigner and in the camp is a slew of world class talent: Shane Watson, Mike Hussey, Brett Lee, Michael Clarke and captain Ricky Ponting, desperate for a shot at the trophy.
England's search for a first ever world title may prove futile, although in the likes of Kevin Pietersen and Ravi Bopara, the English have game breakers in their ranks.
The West Indies too rely upon the individual brilliance of Chris Gayle and Fidel Edwards a touch too much perhaps. And on the evidence of the warm-up games, this may be a fruitless summer for Pakistan.
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