3 minute read

The most limited form of the game of cricket has exploded in the last decade. Domestic franchise tournaments are highly touted and visibly vibrant but this is the biggest representative version of the sport.

Racing and Sports will cover some feature matches of the 2021 T20 World Cup tournament played in the Middle East. We'll provide a look at the form going in and a few betting predictions.

AUSTRALIA v SRI LANKA

Friday 29 October @ Dubai

We've known for quite a while that the world has gone completely mad – this Tournament is just cementing that view, from a cricketing sense, to the many.

If you were expecting wild totals and strike rates of 200, you're in the wrong parish so far.

The Windies managed the enormous total of 55 first time out, Scotland thought they'd give England a second laugh with just 60 of their own and the final nail was Pakistan running down India without loss for their first ever WC defeat of the bitter rivals.

Whether it be due to many players not back attuned to the regular rigmarole or perhaps the conditions aren't conducive to big scoring, time will be the best answer of that.

Maybe for the first time outside of England WCs, we're witnessing bowler responsive pitches and games fathomed around batsman working for runs, constructing an innings – even if in this limited format.

You would think that would make for more excitement but I dare say officialdom would not be applauding. Of the three forms (four if you include the looniest new version in England), this one was designed around just going out and slapping the pill around for the fans to enjoy.

200 is a score to be reckoned with and the ultimate goal. So far that has not been breached with only one score higher than 172 and that was Afghanistan's 190 over the might of Scotland.

Suspect it is more likely the conditions that are the driving force. The ball is not exactly pinging off the surface. Even some seam movement and plenty of gripping of the turf by spinners as well as slower ball merchants make the lives of batsman much more than just close the eyes and swing with abandon.

Possibly the best illustration of that was Josh Hazlewood, a good ODI/T20 bowler without being considered great, bowling some serious leg cutters and making batsman exist rather than exhibit.

Instead of having the 22 yards to decide which area of the greenery over the boundary to plant the seed, they had 0.22 seconds to get behind it or even leave. You'd swear it was Boxing Day.

Credit where it is due primarily to Hazlewood and Cummins for their pace and bounce. A little less so for Starc who was being deposited.

Australia relied on just the five bowlers. Maxwell and Zampa spun (or didn't spin as the case may be) with their full allotment. Is that the best case going forward? Surely Agar will have a role. Even Marsh and Stoinis may need to roll the arm over.

To be totally fair the bowling was much more than adequate in an overall lacklustre performance as an opening salvo.

The major concern is still the batting for the Aussies. Warner still is going sideways on the crease. Conviction to the ball is not his friend at present. His captain played an aggressive shot and he too needs runs.

Those that are most likely to face the most balls must begin without inhibition. There are theoretically 120 of them in an innings. Early wastage is not a good formula.

Only chasing 119 to win they twice wobbled. From 3-38 things were wavering after another Mitch Marsh lack of feet movement. Then the redoubtable Smith and effervescent Maxwell steadied until dual interventions had the result in doubt.

But Stoinis and Wade had some cooler heads and saw them through – albeit only two balls were spared.

There will be bigger totals to chase you have to think. Changes will occur and fluidity in the line-up is a necessity.

They take on Sri Lanka who won their way in beating lesser nations but ones who should be promoted if cricket is to maintain, nay grow, itself globally.

The island nation was pretty comprehensive in defeating Bangladesh in Sharjah. Set a decent 172, they too were all duck or no dinner. Only three of their seven to the crease managed double figures and two of those made half centuries.

While Asalanka and Rajapaksa could hold their heads high, others of greater experience and more repute barely offered a whimper. Those two found and cleared the rope with regularity. Attack the best defence.

They also relied a bit more on the pace angle rather than the typical perception of a Sri Lankan attack which would include taking the pace off the ball and asking the opponent to chase it.

With only five games and just the top two in each one making the Semi Finals, it is almost cutthroat. Neither can really afford a slip up – maybe one but that is all.

England has shown themselves to be probably one finalist from this pool so it could even come down to the rest chasing the other spot.

Batting second has been a good recipe in this tournament to now. It's either you know your target and can plan when to go full throttle or you are getting the best of the conditions with the ball.

The toss could then become a huge moment. We found Steve Smith as leading scorer at a nice price last time and with the aura of invincibility coming away from the opening slots, he may well be needed again to create a good score. Let the hitters bat around him.

That said if Sri Lanka go more down the medium pace route than the spinners, it might be Warner's last shot at redemption. He does much more damage and has far less issues manipulating the ball around when faced with that attack.

Let's give him one last chance to blast himself back into form simply because of the match up. Maybe Australia wins but they'd want a far more convincing performance.

Suggested Bets: David Warner Top Australian Runscorer @ $4.50

Suggested Bets: Steve Smith Top Australian Runscorer @ $5.50