T20 World Cup preview : England Vs West Indies

The T20 World Cup favourites, West Indies are scheduled to play against the defending champions, England in the first match of the super eight stage. Though, West Indies seems to have a stronger squad, the England team are not an easy team to defeat in this format as well.

The T20 World Cup has moved into the business end of the championship, where even a small mistake here and there could cost teams a spot in the semi finals of the competition, which is hosted by Sri Lanka. The second super eight match is going to be played between England and West Indies later today at Pallekele Cricket Stadium, Kandy.

The match is expected to be an interesting one with West Indies, who have been tagged as the favourites for the title and England on the other hand – the defending champions. This contest between the two should set the tone right for the future super eight matches in the competition.

West Indies look a formidable side with quality players in all departments of the game. In the batting department, they have players such as Chris Gayle, the best T20 batsmen along with D. Bravo, M. Samuels, Pollard – just to name a few. These players have the potential to blow out any attack with their lusty big hits to the fence. In the bowling department as well, Sunil Naraine, F. Edwards, D. Sammy, Pollard have the variety required for a T20 match. The names on the West Indies squad perfectly suit the shorter format of the game.

But, the English team would not be scared by this West Indies squad. England also have quality players in their T20 squad, such as Craig Kieswetter, Luke Wright, Bresnan, Jonny Bairstow, Ravi Bopara, etc. They are definitely going to miss the services of Kevin Pietersen, who could have bolstered the English batting line with his batting exploits. The Indian team exploited England’s weakness against the spinners and the West Indies team with the help of their mystery spinner, Sunil Naraine alongside Gayle with his part-timers would try to replicate the same.

On paper, West Indies looks a stronger of the two, but the game is not played on a sheet of paper. Hence, it is the team which plays better on the day that has a greater chance to win the game. A win for either team would increase their chances of reaching the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup.