Barring 1992 World cup which marked South Africa's re-entry into International cricketing arena, Proteas have been tipped as one of the contenders for each of four 50 over world cups and two World T20 tournaments since then. Sadly, they've never progressed into finals, let alone winning the crown. Herschelle Gibbs has been given another opportunity after good IPL season recently and will form a strong middle order for South Africans squad which also includes AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Loots Bosman and world record holding wicket keeper Mark Boucher. Rory Kleinveldt is the surprize pick as he's played just 1 T20 game previously and made just 3 conceeding 20 off just an over he bowled. Rory, a good death bowler they say, was selected when Wayne Parnell got sidelined due to groin injury. South Africa's T20 world cup 2010 squad will be captained by Graeme Smith who's played little cricket in last one year oweing to array of injuries (Beefy returned from IPL 3 after 2 games thanks to finger injury). Jacques Kallis, the experienced allrounder, has been named as the vice-captain. Highlights of South Africa: • Hosted the inaugural ICC WT20 in 2007, but failed to reach the semi-finals in the competition. • Played its first Twenty20 International against New Zealand at Johannesburg in October 2005, losing by five wickets.• Lost to Pakistan by seven runs in the semi-final of ICC WT20 2009.• Set a record with seven consecutive wins in Twenty20 Internationals in 2009. This has subsequently been emulated by Pakistan.• Its only trophy in an ICC event is the ICC Knockout Trophy (now ICC Champions Trophy) in 1998 in Bangladesh.• Lost to Australia in the semi-final of the ICC CWC 2007.• Has a poor record in semi-finals of ICC events, having won only one of the eight in which it has participated.• First staged a domestic Twenty20 competition in 2003-04. The current holders are Warriors who beat Lions in the final in March this year. South Africa squad for T20 world cup 2010: Graeme Smith (captain): Left handed opening batsman His achievements as a … [Read more...]
New Zealand T20 world cup team analysis
The Kiwis, the blackcaps, the technicians... New Zealand team is called by several names but sadly, they've rarely achieved some nouns in front, like World champions and thus, local New Zealand countrymen support other sports more than their cricket team. New Zealand were semi-finalists in inaugural T20 world cup back in 2007 and their performance didn't dip too much second time around in 2009 but the spot for finals eluded them. From May 2010 is another chance for black jersey team to prove they can make world stand up and clap for them. Daniel Vettori will lead the side with Brendon McCullum free from wicket keeping responsibility as Gareth Hopkins has done exceptionally well in last 6 months in shortest version of the game. New Zealand T20 world cup squad also marks the return of Jesse Ryder, the talismanic all rounder who bats left handed in top order and can bowl his quota medium pace overs with accuracy. Jesse last played for Kiwis back in September 2009 in Champions trophy before suffering abdominal surgrey. Aaron Redmond, the right handed opener, is the surprise pick and as is Rob Nicol, the 27 year old rookie who bats right handed and also bowls offspin. Nicol was in termendos domestic form and earned his place on sheer weight of performances. Shane Bond, Kyle Mills, Ian Butler, and Tim Southee are the medium pace options in the squad with also includes Nathan McCullum, the offspinner. A hard-hitting batsman and handy spin bowler, Nicol was seen as the ideal candidate to fill a strong 15-man squad notable for the returns of Jesse Ryder, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Ian Butler and Aaron Redmond. Hard-hitting opener Ryder is on track, having scored a century in his Wellington comeback this week and bowled a handful of overs as he eyes his first international since the Champions Trophy last September. Frontline seamer Mills hasn't played since the same tournament, after which he underwent shoulder and knee surgery. He and the other recovering players will be put through intensive skills and fielding sessions before departure. The only players ruled out were Daryl Tuffey and Neil Broom (both fractured … [Read more...]
