I wrote this on Ben Stokes last week, as part of compiling some thoughts on the Ashes. It seems timely to publish this section now.
Now the Ashes have finally come to an end I felt compelled to get a few thoughts down on paper after an incredible time out here in Australia watching England and realising a childhood dream. I was fortunate enough to attend Brisbane, Perth and Melbourne and watch some iconic moments of test cricket. There is so much to talk about that it is hard to know where to start, but the major elephant in the room all series has been Ben Stokes, well the absence of him. It dominated the build-up to the series, so for part one let’s get that dealt with swiftly and move on.
Ben Stokes
The weeks leading up to the series were all about Stokes and whether he would travel and play. Having spent a vast some of money and altered my vague life plan to watch an Ashes series in Australia I felt entitled to see the best possible team represent England. But I can only imagine what some of the Barmy Army members would have spent altogether, they are far more entitled to seeing England’s best team give it their best. The fact Ben Stokes is one of the best players in the world and was sat twiddling his thumbs watching like the rest of us was hard to take. He is the exact sort of character you need to succeed in Australia. His character combined with his abundance of ability with bat and ball is a game changer and quite possibly a series changer. Whilst I understand 4-0 is a thrashing I can’t help but think things may have been different with him in the side.
However, it is all well and good wondering what if, but there comes a point where you have to begin to accept it for what it is. And what it was, was a complete and utter farce and difficult to accept without having someone to blame. I mulled over this for some time, days, weeks. I wanted someone to blame. Initially, I blamed the police and the authorities: Why was it taking so long to sort out? Can’t they just sort it out a bit quicker in special circumstances? No, they probably take as long as they need and that is that. Then I blamed the ECB: Why can’t he still play? Is he not innocent until proven guilty? And whilst of course he is innocent until proven guilty and to, some extent, I believe he should have been there playing regardless, I also looked at it from the ECB’s perspective. What would look worse; Stokes not travelling/playing till cleared or Stokes playing and then being summoned back to the UK to face trial mid series? Then I blamed the media: Did they blow it out of proportion? Did they know about the allegations of Stokes defending a homophobic attack? It reminded me of when John Terry was vilified six months before the 2010 World Cup and stripped of the England captaincy for an off the field incident. The media were to blame for that and totally sabotaged England’s chances in that tournament. But this was slightly different – Stokes had allegedly been caught on camera beating up some bloke. The media attention was certainly justified and his actions rightly scrutinised.
Then I realised. None of this would have happened if it wasn’t for Ben Stokes’ actions that night. He is the only person to blame. He let his team mates down, he let down the thousands who travelled to Australia down, everyone who stayed up late to watch, everyone who bought BT Sport for the Ashes down. Ben Stokes let the country down. No apology will ever change any of that.
With all that said, I sincerely hope the whole Stokes saga is finished soon and we can get back to enjoying him back in an England shirt ASAP!
Firstly, before getting in to the nitty-gritty of the teams, it’s time to praise the ICC. They have finally provided the cricketing public with a tournament that won’t drag on for two months and bore even the most loyal cricket fan. On top of that it WILL include an opportunity for two associate nations to challenge the big boys. It is set to be a thrilling month of cricket, with both groups poised to be extremely competitive.
Group 1:
The last three winners of the World T20 tournament; holders Sri Lanka, West Indies and England are all drawn together, whilst the ever strong South Africa complete the pre-qualified nations of Group 1. The winner of Group B, one of Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Scotland, Zimbabwe, will complete that half of the Super 10.
Sri Lanka
The holders of the competition come in to the tournament in very poor form; they have won two of their last eight T20 matches and that includes a victory over minnows UAE, who failed to qualify for the initial group stage of the tournament. However apart from major absentees Mahela Jayawrdene and Kumar Sangakarra, both of whom have since retired from international cricket, the team is virtually the same as the victorious eleven of two years previous. They still boast the world-class talent of Lasith Malinga and Tillakaratne Dilshan and if they can click they could be a dangerous side capable of beating anyone on their day – the sub-continent conditions will undoubtedly aid their cause.
One to watch: Angelo Mathews – the all-rounder has just taken on the captaincy following Malinga’s resignation and could be the man to reignite his countries hopes.
Prediction: 3rd – they may just miss out on qualification for the semi-finals. It is likely to come down to their final two fixtures against England and South Africa, if they’ve found some momentum by then they may have a chance, but their preparation for the tournament has been far from ideal, and could prove costly.
England
2010 champions England had been in fine T20 form before their two defeats to South Africa last month. Before those losses they had won their last six, and had the tournament started in December, after their tour of UAE to play Pakistan, they would be one of the favourites to go all the way. The latest limited overs defeats are bound to cast doubt in to the minds of the young players, but a good start against the West Indies and that could flip on its head. What England lack in experience they make up for in character, the bullishness of Root, Stokes and Buttler could spur this young team in to potential superstars.
One to watch: Adil Rashid – he is a hot and cold bowler at the best of times, but with conditions in his favour he may be the key to any England success.
Prediction: Semi Finals – They have a tough start in the group with West Indies and South Africa up first, get over those tests and they should qualify. The lack of strength in the group should see England get through the group, but no further.
South Africa
The semi-final specialists will be hopeful of going one better and winning a tournament. They’re often mocked as ‘chokers’ but their form leading up to the tournament is good and they have proven their worth in their warm up games against heavily favoured Australia, with the group they’re in this is arguably their best opportunity to shake the ‘chokers’ tag and win an ICC tournament! They boast the world’s best batsman in AB De Villiers and he is capable of winning virtually any match on his own – if he performs they will go a long way.
One to watch: Kagiso Rabada – At 20 years old Rabada has gone from strength to strength since arriving on the scene. He bowls fast, swings the ball and takes wickets at crucial moments in the game. His biggest test will be adjusting to the testing conditions.
Prediction: Semi Finals – Another limited-overs tournament, another “what could have been?” I can see them cruising through the group, feeling on top of the world with the nation confident of getting the monkey off it’s back before crashing out in typical fashion yet again.
West Indies
The West Indies are rank outsiders for the tournament, much like they were when victorious in 2012. Their squad oozes experience but they’ve not played any T20 cricket so far this year, that laid back attitude probably makes you more wary of their capabilities. And you don’t have to look much further than Chris Gayle for laid-back yet destructive capabilities; he could certainly make a few sides blush! However they are missing two proven T20 stars in Sunil Narine and Kieran Pollard. The lack of the quality spin option in Narine is a major blow but Samuel Badree was in fantastic form at the Big Bash and will hope to take that form in to the WT20.
One to watch: Jason Holder – the test captain is renowned for his ability to score late on, if he gets it right late on in the innings he may win the West Indies a match or two.
Prediction: 4th – It is hard to envisage a fairy tale repeat of 2012 with Sammy and co producing a celebratory Gangnam Style in the middle of the pitch. Unless another ridiculously ludicrous yet catchy dance move comes out and galvanises the squad the West Indies will struggle to beat anyone other that the Group B victor.
Group B winner (tbc)
Afghanistan and Zimbabwe are the two short favourites to qualify from Group B, and it appears it will come down to their game on Saturday to decide who will qualify for the Super 10. Both enjoyed relatively successful World Cup’s last year and whoever qualifies will be confident of producing at least one upset in the shortest format of the game.
One(s) to watch: Sean Williams (ZIM) and Mohammed Nabi (AFG) – both these all-rounders proved their worth in the 50-over World Cup 12 months ago, and if they perform near that level they may help their nation pick up a scalp come the second round.
Prediction: 5th – Unfortunately I don’t think either team will have enough to cause an upset, however I wouldn’t rule out a couple of scary moments for a couple of the bigger nations.
Group 2:
The bookmakers 1st and 2nd favourite’s, India and Australia, feature in this very strong group. 50-over World Cup finalists New Zealand and former T20 World Cup winners Pakistan make up Group 2. And it could be made all the more stronger by the potential arrival of Bangladesh from Group A. Bangladesh got through to the Asia Cup final beating Pakistan and Sri Lanka along the way. However Bangladesh have to get past debutants Oman, well-seasoned giant killers Ireland and the always-competitive Netherlands before thinking of upsetting the apple cart.
India
The hosts are always well fancied at home, and rightly so after winning the World Cup on home soil back in 2011, however the hosts of the T20 World Cup have only once got past the second round. Since the Indian Premier League has become the spiritual home of T20 cricket over the past 5 years, many of the foreign stars will be well adept to the wickets and atmosphere of Indian cricket. That may count against India in this tournament. On the contrary, the high quality annual T20 competition allows the BCCI to choose from a pool of well-experienced players who have been tested at the highest level. And they aren’t short of superstars; Kohli, Dhoni and Rohit to name a few. They won the Asia Cup earlier this month and are in fine form leading up to this tournament.
One to watch: Ravichandran Ashwin – He is one of the World’s best bowlers in all formats and if he is on song India will have a big chance of going all the way.
Prediction: Runners-Up – They may just fall at the final hurdle. They have quality in abundance but perhaps there is one team that will have the wood over them.
Australia
World champions Australia come in to the tournament as second favourites by the bookies reckoning, but are considered strong favourites by many pundits. The reason being is the depth in their squad. Like India their domestic T20 tournament, the Big Bash, has attracted some of the finest T20 players in the world and in turn it has helped increase the pool of high quality, well-experienced players to choose from in Australia. However Darren Lehman has left out some high profile stars of the BBL, player of the tournament Chris Lynn, who blew away most of Australia this winter is the most notable absentee. The 50 over World Cup champions won last year with explosive batting performances and destructive bowling displays throughout the competition and if they can replicate that in India they will be a tough side to beat – and being able to leave out the ‘Player of the Tournament’ of your own domestic T20 league shows their confident in sticking with the stars from last year.
One to watch: Adam Zampa – The young leg-spinner was a revelation in this year’s big bash and could play a major role in any Aussie success this spring. The longer he can avoid ‘next Shane Warne’ tags the better for his career.
Prediction: Winners – Are Australia set to become 50 over and T20 World Champions? Their batting line up is quite phenomenal, with the likes of David Warner coming in at 4 and Maxwell at 5. Keeping them to a score under 170 is a result in itself, and even if you manage that feat their bowling attack boasts a mixture of class spin and seam bowlers.
Pakistan
Pakistan are massive outsiders in the group, with arguably three of the best four T20 sides in the World in their group. They still boast T20 stars like Shahid Afridi, Mohammed Hafeez and Wahab Riaz but this tournament may come down to the ability of the fringe player to step up and perform, and Pakistan lack quality past their frontline players. The one possible advantage they have is their first game, against the associate qualifier, may provide them with an early victory and release some pressure. They then face fierce rivals India, and despite how big underdogs they will be anything can happen in a derby, and Pakistan have knack of pulling it all together during tournaments. Unfortunately for Pakistan fans, they will be well aware of their knack for crashing out in embarrassing fashion and losing to associate nations. This year, I feel the latter is very likely.
One to watch: Mohammed Amir – Any match they play recently is overshadowed by Mohammed Amir related incident or speculation. And the controversial figure could spark further debate at the WT20 if he plays a prominent role in any Pakistani success. Since returning from his ban he has been quick to show why he was the World’s most promising bowler in 2011. It will be interesting to see how he copes in India.
Prediction: 5th – This group is too strong for Pakistan and they haven’t got the strength in depth to compete in such a tough group. If Bangladesh qualify, they will have a strong chance of beating Pakistan, on recent form.
New Zealand
The Black Caps reached the World Cup final last year, falling just short to neighbours and co-hosts Australia. They’ll be looking to go one better in the shortest format of the game. The retirement of explosive batsman and innovative captain, Brendan McCullum, is a big blow but one New Zealand have prepared for in advance. Kane Williamson, who takes over as captain, is one of a number of world class players New Zealand have to flaunt. Along with Williamson, Martin Guptill will have an impact with the bat, whilst Trent Boult, the joint leading wicket taker in the 2015 World Cup, and Tim Southee will play a big part with the ball. All-rounders Corey Anderson and young star Mitchell Santner are also crucial in a well-rounded side.
Ones to watch: Colin Munro – the batsman announced himself against Sri Lanka in January after smashing the 2nd fastest T20 fifty in just 14 balls. Match winning knocks like that are rare in T20 cricket and Munro’s destructive hitting could send New Zealand far in the competition.
Prediction: 3rd – In an exceptionally tough group they may just fall short, and it might only be down to the miniscule margin of net run rate, that’s how close it could be between the top 3 in the group!
Group A winner (tbc)
It looks increasingly likely Bangladesh, who have been in blistering form leading up to this tournament, will complete an already difficult group. They recently lost to India in the final of the Asia Cup and were they on the other side of the Super 10 they’d be well fancied to qualify for the semi-finals. But Group 2 is exceptionally competitive and any win for an associate nation will be an achievement from this group. Assuming Bangladesh do qualify for the second round, captain Mashrafe Mortaza, Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al-Hasan are well established T20 stars that will be the fulcrum of any success.
One to watch: Mahmudullah – The all-rounder exhibited his ability with the bat in the low scoring Asia Cup final defeat to India hitting 33 off 13 balls. He is also proven with the ball and could be a match-changing player in the tournament.
Prediction: 4th – An upset against fellow sub-continent nation Pakistan is a major possibility.
Even Alistair Cook’s most loyal of supporters would agree a change was needed if England were to have a chance of winning the World Cup down under. One game in to the tournament, and the chances of a World Cup win look no better for England. That desire for change still resonates amongst the thoughts of most England fans.
Since his century on debut, Morgan’s run of scores read 0, 2, 0, 0, and 0. Saying he is out of form would be an understatement. He has been desperately out of touch for well over a year now, and that doesn’t look like changing any time soon. Morgan was given the role as captain for his status as an entertainer, his history as the talisman of the ODI side, yet in the past year that is far from reality. Whilst the rest of the eleven have chopped and changed, due to injury, form and philosophy, Morgan has underperformed throughout. He’s been resting on his laurels for too long, he should have been dropped during the summer, but the media’s obsession with Cook, meant it was not beneficial to leave out such a fan and media favourite.
The saying goes: form is temporary, class is permanent. After a century in his captaincy debut, against a fearsome Australian side, everyone thought he was back to his best, far from it. Morgan’s form is momentary, and his class is sporadic.
Morgan didn’t ask to be appointed captain, so it isn’t him to blame, much like it wasn’t Cook’s fault last summer. We need to look beyond the players, to Moores and the selectors above him. In sticking with Cook for so long as ODI captain, it is clear that the ECB’s selectors wanted a cross-format captain, certainly a reputable ideal to aspire. However when selecting Cook’s replacement, they seemed to abandon that philosophy, picking the bloke who toes the line, with the biggest reputation.
Joe Root should have been given the full backing and support of the board of selectors. Despite his short international career, Root has long been earmarked as a future England captain. Root continued to impress with the bat in both Tests and ODIs throughout the winter, and should have been given an opportunity to lead the ODI side. It wouldn’t be to just give him a go, but the perfect experience for him to progress as a player. To lead England at a World Cup is a massive honour and one Root would relish and would only build on for the future.
Unfortunately they went with Morgan, as for Root – he’s the future. For now, if England is to have a respectable tournament and a chance of getting to the semi-finals, then they need to get a plan, and stick to it. Ravi Bopara’s treatment is a prime example of this. He was dubbed ‘the finisher’ in ODI cricket throughout 2013 and the summer of 2014. However he was left out of the tour to Sri Lanka last autumn before being recalled for the World Cup. Then he plays in all the World Cup warm-up matches before being dropped for the opener against Australia. There is just no logic to the decisions being made for ODIs. Chopping and changing won’t aid captain or player. Some continuity is needed. Then England will have a chance for the present. For the future, the selectors and coaching staff need to have a long hard think for how the national team are going to revolutionise their cricketing style to adhere to the modern, more effective style of cricket other nations excel at.
Rob Baney 