England's three stars in the World Twenty20 will be...
Posted on 21/04/2010There are times when the word ‘expert’ can be rather ill-used, like when Andy Townsend provides his analysis on top-level European football. But there are a chosen few who ‘know their onions’. For instance, for boxing you would go to Muhammad Ali, for athletics you might try Michael Johnson, while Jeremy Kyle might be your best bet for domestic feuds. In the cricket world, Garry Sobers isn’t a bad shout, which is why it is interesting to hear his views in the Sun on who England’s top men could be at the World Twenty20...
Graeme Swann, Kevin Pietersen and new-boy Craig Kieswetter are the players I believe can fire England into the World Twenty20 final.The Barmy Army may have plenty to celebrate here in the Caribbean over the next few weeks as Paul Collingwood's side could be the tournament's surprise package.
The South African connection of KP and hard-hitting wicketkeeper Kieswetter can be the difference for England along with their spinners - especially the impressive Swann who is now one of the best in the world and will be suited to the slow wickets.
One of the joys of T20 is seeing balls fly off the edge for boundaries which no one can set a field for. But the spinners can bring a measure of control and that is where England have been shrewd with not only Swann but also James Tredwell and Pietersen - who will be useful on the slow Guyana pitches.There are some new names among the England squad as well, specialists like Eoin Morgan, Michael Yardy and Michael Lumb plus they have some outstanding fielders.
So England - and my own West Indies - could spring a surprise or two but my favourites remain Australia and India, even though nothing is certain in this form of cricket.
India will have a head start on most because of their experience in the IPL and they could push the rebuilt Aussies hard, even without my big friend Sachin Tendulkar.
As for the Aussies - as soon as one lot retire in come more world-class players. The one I am tipping to do well is Shane Watson, the kind of player I like to watch who plays well in every form of the game.