One of the keys to a great tournament is engrossing early contests. In the upcoming T20 World Cup, the group stage looms large, with only the top two from each side of the draw set to progress to the semi-finals.
By design, there is little room for error in the group stages. Occasionally World Cups allow for Cinderella runs (like the Aussies in 1999), but often we get an accurate read of which teams are on and off in the opening few games. Momentum plays a huge part.
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The very nature of T20 cricket means every game is somewhat of a lottery. The unpredictable nature of the format makes the entire group stage a raffle. If one batter comes off a couple of times, who is to say any of the favourites progress? The game can turn in the blink of an eye.
That said, the ICC has scheduled some real humdingers in the opening fortnight.
These are five group games you can’t miss:
OCT 22: Australia v New Zealand, SCG
The opening match of the Super 12 stage is when the tournament really steps up. For the five days before, there will be qualifying matches to fill the final spots, but October 22 is the real deal.
At a packed SCG, the Aussies will take on Tasman rivals New Zealand at prime time on Saturday night. The Kiwis have firepower at the top of the order, bowlers who can swing it, and handy spin. They probably don’t have Australia’s depth of match-winners, but they are never an easy-beat in global tournaments.
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Australia’s best XI is still somewhat of a mystery, though it looks as if Tim David will slot into the middle order and Steve Smith will carry the drinks, presuming the other squad members are fit.
The last time these two sides met in a World Cup on these shores was 2015 and though the Kiwis did well to make the final, they were disappointing at crunch time. It’s not do or die, but both countries can kickstart important momentum with a first-up win in this clash and claim some bragging rights too.
OCT 23: India v Pakistan, MCG
The only good thing about India and Pakistan’s political tensions is the anticipation that leads to their occasional meetings in global tournaments. The less we have, the more we want.
This rivalry dwarfs any other in world cricket. They have played each other 13 times in World Cup games (across both white ball formats) and Pakistan has won just one of these encounters.
(Photo by Gareth Copley-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
But in this clash, the Pakistan team will fancy itself. For one, India is currently in the midst of a ODI series against South Africa, while Pakistan is preparing specifically for T20 matches in New Zealand.
Secondly, Pakistan performed far better at last year’s World Cup than India, making the final before losing to Australia.
Regardless of the result, the atmosphere at the MCG will be electric. Melbourne has a strong multi-cultural representation and this Sunday evening fixture looms as possibly the most watched match of the entire tournament. Strap yourself in, every single, wicket, boundary or dropped catch means a lot more in this one.
OCT 28: Australia v England, MCG
England’s white ball revolution is now old news. Instead, it’s all about how the current squad gels under new (Aussie) coach Matthew Mott in his first major tournament in charge.
Most of the English players will have played in the Big Bash before, but none of them would have played in front of a crowd as big as the one which will be at the MCG for this mouth-watering group clash.
There is something decidedly traditional about an Australia v England match at the MCG, though the T20 format gives any sense of nostalgia a fresh spin. There are doubts whether England’s bowling unit is good enough to trouble the very best teams, but their batters are hugely damaging and will worry Aaron Finch and co.
The current T20 series between the two teams will give a reasonable snapshot of where each XI is at. Expect a huge crowd for the real deal on October 28.
OCT 30: India v South Africa, Perth
It’s frankly bizarre that India and South Africa are in the middle of an ODI series just two weeks out from the beginning of the T20 World Cup. Yes, the colour of the ball is the same, but the formats have never been more different.
In addition, both teams are playing in opposite conditions to the ones they will confront in Australia soon. And never will this be starker than their encounter in Perth on October 30.
The bouncy, hard wicket will suit South Africa’s pace attack, though batters like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma can turn it on regardless of the pitch they are confronted with. As a side note, Perth has Australia’s largest contingent of South African expats, which will make for a great atmosphere at an incredible stadium.
NOV 1: England v New Zealand, GABBA
The attraction for this clash is not as much about the teams as it is about the conditions. Brisbane rarely disappoints from an entertainment perspective. The ball will swing under lights and it travels when the big boys get onto it.
This encounter is also at the very back end of the group stage and could prove critical in determining the semi-final formations. England’s Test cricketers don’t have great memories of Brisbane, while the Kiwis rarely get to play there at all.
England and New Zealand have also developed a healthy rivalry since the 2019 ODI World Cup, with many of the players involved on that famous afternoon at Lord’s still key players for their respective teams in this T20 World Cup.
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