Team Preview: Can South Africa finally win an ICC event?

South Africa 15 Man Squad for T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia

South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Quinton de Kock, Heinrich Klaasen, Reeza Hendricks, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, Kagiso Rabada, Rillee Rossouw, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen.

South Africa haven't played as much T20I matches recently as some of the other nations but they won the series against England and Ireland back in July and August while lost 1-2 to India just a few weeks back. They also won their only warm up game quite comfortably against the Black Caps.

Batting

The form of Temba Bavuma and whether he deserves a place in this Protea side is up for a debate but right now he's their captain and in charge of leading them in Australia. Quinton deKock, Bavuma's opening partner, himself hasn't been good usual self with the bat in hand.

Number 3 spot should go to Rillee Rossouw while Aiden Markram should go into number 4. David Miller, one of Stubbs/ Reeza and Klassen make up a powerful lower middle order for the South African side.

Bowling

The injury to Dwaine Pretorius just before the tournament is a huge blow for them as he's their designated all rounder but Marco Jensen, drafted in his place could do some real damage to opposing batsmen with his pace, height and left arm angle. The ever present Rabada, Nortje and Ngidi make up for one of the most fearsome fast bowling attacks in this tournament. There's Wayne Parnell but I think he should be a back up.

Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj provide the spin options for South Africa. The South African bowling attack is well rounded but may be a little weak in the spin department.

South Africa Fixtures T20 World Cup 2022

24 October: v Zimbabwe at Hobart

27 October: v Bangladesh at SCG

30 October: v India at Perth

03 November: v Pakistan at SCG

06 November: v Netherlands at Adelaide

South Africa Probable Starting XI

Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Rillee Rossouw, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, Marco Jensen, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Keshav Maharaj/ Tabraiz Shamsi.

For once, I think, in many years, South Africa come into a tournament not as a favorite. That tag has caused them problems in the past. They are still a very good side with almost all bases covered. If they can start well, they can certainly go deep into the tournament.

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Team Preview: Pakistan looking to re create the magic of 2009!

Pakistan 15 Man Squad for T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood.

Pakistan won the Tri series in New Zealand involving the hosts and Bangladesh besides them, lost at home to England a closely fought series 3-4 and made it to the Asia Cup finals losing to eventual winners Sri Lanka. They were however trashed by England in their only completed warm up match. Afghanistan also managed to score 154 in their second match which was then washed out.

Batting

Their batting depends a great deal on the opening pair of skipper Babar Azam and wicket keeper Mohammad Rizwan. They are both known to start slowly and pick up the strike rate late but they are amazingly consistent. Fakhar Zaman, a late addition to the squad in place of Usman Qadir should slot in at number 3.

From number 4-7 Pakistan have tried various combinations of Shan Masood, Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, & Mohammad Nawaz. What combination they opt for in the main tournament would depend on the pitch and the conditions.

Bowling

The fast bowling factory of Pakistan keeps producing very good bowlers. The current crop include Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain. They are well rounded with raw pace, left arm angle, right arm fast but the only thing missing from that bunch is experience.

Shadab Khan, Nawaz and Iftikhar should take on the spin bowling mantle.

Pakistan Fixtures T20 World Cup 2022

23 October: v India at MCG

27 October: v Zimbabwe at Perth

30 October: v Netherlands at Perth

03 November: v South Africa at SCG

06 November: v Bangladesh at Adelaide

Pakistan Probable Starting XI for T20 World Cup 2022

Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Shan Masood, Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Pakistan have played a lot of T20 matches in the recent past which should hold them in good stead but their opening match against India will set the tone for their progress. They also play 2 matches at Perth which should help their fast bowlers. Pakistan should make the semi finals but I can see them quite easily missing out too.

What do you think of the Men in Green? How far will they reach?

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Team Preview: England begin life post Morgan era

England 15 Man Squad for T20 World Cup 2022

England: Jos Buttler (c), Moeen Ali, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Ben Stokes, Tymal Mills, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Alex Hales.

The English team begin a new era under Jos Buttler who will be looking to get his team together for the T20 World Cup 2022. England have had strong results in the shortest format of the game in recent times having beaten Pakistan 4-3 and Australia 2-0, both away, in Pakistan and Australia respectively. They also brushed Pakistan aside in the warm up match chasing 160 odd in under 15 overs.

Batting

Jos Buttler and Alex Hales form a formidable opening pair for English capable of demolishing any attack in the world. They can field any three of Malan/ Brook/ Salt and Stokes for the number 3/4/5 slot. The destructive Liam Livingstone can be a dangerous floater who can be used as per the match situation.

Moeen Ali, Sam Curran/ David Willey provide enough ammunition to go full throttle throughout the 20 overs. There's also Woakes who's more than handy with the bat at number 8/9.

Bowling

The injury to Reece Topley is certainly a blow to the English with Topley being in very good form over the past few months. But he's been replaced by the veteran Mills who has the experience of playing all around the world. Mark Wood is breathing fire and Chris Woakes is back after a lengthy lay off. Chris Jordan is there as a specialist death bowler.

Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali provide the spin cover. All rounders Stokes, Curran, Willey are more than capable to bowl 4 overs regularly.

England Fixtures T20 World Cup 2022

22 October: v Afghanistan at Perth

26 October: v Ireland at MCG

28 October: v Australia at MCG

01 November: v New Zealand at Brisbane

05 November: v Sri Lanka at SCG

England Probable Starting XI for T20 World Cup 2022

Jos Buttler, Alex Hales, Dawid Malan, Liam Livingstone, Ben Stokes, Phil Salt/ Harry Brook, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Tymal Mills/ Chris Jordan.

England must surely be one of the favorites to win the T20 World Cup this year. They have absolutely demolished Australia in their recent series and look imperious. The injuries to Jonny Bairstow and Topley and exclusion of Jason Roy isnt really affecting them. I can see them go all the way this year!

What do you think about this English side? Do they have it in them to go all the way?

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Team Preview: Can the Kiwis soar to their first T20 World Cup win?

New Zealand 15 Man squad for T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Santner, Glenn Phillips, Jimmy Neesham, Daryl Mitchell, Adam Milne, Martin Guptill, Lockie Ferguson, Devon Conway, Mark Chapman, Michael Bracewell, Trent Boult, Finn Allen.

New Zealand have had quite a rough time of late in test match cricket but they've been very good in the shortest format of the game. Going back a few months they've won series against Scotland, Netherlands, West Indies and made the finals of the tri series involving Pakistan and Bangladesh. However, they lost that final and the subsequent warm up games against the Proteas at Brisbane.

Batting

New Zealand have experimented quite a lot with their batting line up recently with Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Martin Guptill all opening at various times. Skipper Kane Williamson seems a lock at number 3 while Glenn Philips should slot in at number 4. Daryl Mitchell was injured recently and his participation at this point seems to be up in the air.

James Neesham, Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner all provide lower order hitting ability to take the Kiwis to a powerful finish with the bat.

Bowling

The pace battery of New Zealand is envious with experience and raw pace both being present. Boult and Southee remain a formidable pair capable of swinging the match at any point. Milne and Ferguson provide the raw pace to hustle the opposing batsmen.

Santner, Sodhi and Bracewell provide spin options to Williamson with Bracewell doing very well recently in clutch moments. Neesham can also roll the arm over for a few overs if required.

New Zealand Fixtures T20 World Cup 2022

22 October: v Australia at SCG

25 October: v Afghanistan at MCG

28 October: v Sri Lanka at SCG

31 October: v England at Brisbane

4 November: v Ireland at Adelaide

New Zealand Probable Starting XI for T20 World Cup 2022

Devon Conway, Finn Allen, Kane Williamson, Glenn Philips, Daryl Mitchell/ Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner/ Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson

The Kiwis have a very balanced side and they generally find a way to do well at ICC events. Having made the finals in the last T20 World Cup and lost to their neighbours Australia, they'll be keen to go one up this time. I feel they will have to work hard to get to the semi finals with Australia, England and potentially Sri Lanka as their opponents.

How do you see the chances for New Zealand? Will they go past the group stage?

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Team Preview: India look for T20 Silverware again after 15 years!

India 15 Man squad for T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia

Squad: Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, R Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammad Shami.

Team India is coming in the T20 World Cup on the back of some impressive performances in the shortest format of the game. Although they couldn't make the finals of the Asia Cup but they defeated strong Australia and South Africa teams at home. They also won their warm up match against Australia.

Batting

Batting of the men in blue seems well settled with captain Rohit Sharma set to to open with KL Rahul. Kohli at 3 and the impressive Suryakumar Yadav at 4 give a formidable look to the top 4.

Hardik Pandya, DK/ Pant, Axar Patel complete the lower middle order.

Probably an issue there could be the lack of left handed batsmen in the line up. There have been concerns about the strike rate of Rahul as well but he's looked to correct that in the warm up games.

Bowling

The bowling attack of India is under a lot of fire as Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out with a back injury while Ravindra Jadeja is also out with a knee injury. Shami replaces Bumrah in the 15 man squad and must have played himself in the starting XI after a stellar final over in the warm up match against Australia.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh and Harshal Patel are the other seam bowlers at hand. Chahal and Ashwin will handle the spin part of things with Axar a like for like replacement for Jadeja. Pandya has been bowling well too in the recent times.

Death bowling remains a concern for team India. Lack of pace from Bhuvi, lack of international T20 matches from Shami and indifferent form of Harshal Patel are all enough to give the management cause for enough concern going into the big matches.

India Fixtures T20 World Cup 2022

23 October: v Pakistan at MCG

27 October: v Netherlands at SCG

30 October: v South Africa at Perth

02 November: v Bangladesh at Adelaide

06 November: v Zimbabwe at MCG

India Probable Starting XI for T20 World Cup 2022

Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik, Axar Patel, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammad Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal

Overall, India looks to be a side that has enough to reach the semi finals looking at their opponents but the bowling department needs to give a good account of themselves if India are to go any further. Batting looks too reliant on SKY right now to provide the much needed impetus with Rohit, Rahul and frequently Kohli take their time to settle in.

What do you think of Team India? How far will they reach?

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Team Preview: Reigning Champions & Hosts Australia out to defend their crown

Australia 15 Man Squad for T20 World Cup 2022

Aaron Finch (c), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.

Australia have had an up and down season as far as their T20I results have been concerned. They have lost to India away and to England at home but have managed to beat the West Indies comfortably at home. They also lost in their opening warm up match against India.

Batting

Australia are stacked with an explosive batting unit starting with the experienced pair of Warner and Finch at the top. Mitchell Marsh looks to be back from injury and should slot in at number 3. Wade and Tim David along with Glenn Maxwell should make up for their lower middle order.

The only question for the Australian management is whether they need Steve Smith in this line up. At number 4, ideally in T20's you need someone who can force the issue with the run rate when required. Australia have Inglis and Stoinis in the squad who can easily play at either 4 or drop down with Maxwell slotting in at 4.

The form of Maxwell and Finch should be a minor concern as well but they are big match players and Australia shouldn't be too worried about that aspect.

Bowling

There might be a few issues with the batting unit but the bowling unit seems to be well settled and firing for most part. Starc and Cummins with pace and Hazlewood with that nagging line make their pace attack. Zampa is quite an underrated spin bowler, but he's always getting wickets in the middle overs. The lines of Marsh, Stoinis and Maxwell can fulfill the quota of the 5th bowler with ease.

Australia Fixtures T20 World Cup 2022

22 October: v New Zealand at SCG

25 October: v Sri Lanka at Perth

28 October: v England at MCG

31 October: v Ireland at Brisbane

4 November: v Afghanistan at Adelaide

Australia Probable Starting XI for T20 World Cup 2022

Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tim David, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade,  Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa

Australia always find a way to go deep at global ICC events and this time it should be no different. I can see them having enough in their team to reach the semi finals at the very least.  The pressure of being hosts and indifferent batting form are the only weakness that they currently seem to have. They have the squad to be the first team to successfully defend their T20 World Cup crown as well.

What do you think about this Aussie side? Do they have it in them to go all the way?

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