Let’s Play!
Get ready for an action packed four weeks as the main stage of the ICC World Twenty20 is about to begin on 15th March, 2016. Brace yourselves for nail-biting clashes between nations during the next few weeks.
This year, the mega event is being held in a nation where cricket is considered a religion, India. The World T20 tournament started with sixteen teams. But the main draw of the tournament in this edition of the world cup is the “Super 10”. Eight of the top ten ranked nations automatically move into the “Super 10” stage. These countries are India (hosts), Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Pakistan. For the other two spots, there happens a qualifier round between low rank cricketing nations like Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Afghanistan, Scotland and Oman. The qualifying round is now over and the two remaining vacancies in the “Super 10” have been occupied by Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
Having Test Cricket and ODI’s as the two forms of cricket for many years, ICC decided to launch another, more exciting format called the twenty over a-side format. The first of these ICC World T20 tournaments was played in the year 2007 at South Africa. The final was played at the famous Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg between two bitter rivals, India and Pakistan. India came out victorious in a nail biting finish on that day. The 2009 edition of the event was held in the home of cricket, England. The final was held in Lord’s, where Pakistan came out victorious, beating Sri Lanka. In 2010, England surprised the entire world by beating arch rivals Australia and clinching the crown. England used the underdog tag to good effect and ran out winners at Bridgetown, Barbados. In 2012, the tournament moved into Asia for the first time, with Sri Lanka being the hosts. The host nation reached the final, but fell short against the mighty West Indians. The tournament stayed in Asia in 2014, with Bangladesh as the hosts. Sri Lanka turned up well against a very strong Indian side, and comfortably clinched the title.
The first match of the ICC World Twenty20 is going to be played at Nagpur, between hosts India, and New Zealand. This stadium has a capacity of around 45,000 and we expect it to be packed. England kicks off their campaign against the West Indies at Mumbai on the 16th of March. With the young squad they have in their ranks, England will want to repeat their success of 2010. This is when they defeated their bitter rivals Australia in the final at Barbados under the leadership of Paul Collingwood. With T20 specialists like Jos Buttler, Alex Hales and Eoin Morgan up their ranks, England should be considered one of the strongest contenders for the T20 World Cup this year. The final will be held at the famous cricket stadium in Kolkata, Eden Gardens. Having a capacity to accommodate more than 60,000 spectators, it is sure to be an entertaining fest.
The T20 format requires players to be extremely fit and agile. It is the shortest format of the game, yet the most demanding. Players always need to be on their feet and should rarely do a mistake on the field. Dropped catches and miss-fields could end up being very costly. The players spend hours and hours working on their fitness, day in and day out. They are constantly pushed by the support staff to get in shape, and to stay fit. They are put on strict diets along with their fitness plans and are expected to follow these with full sincerity. Different supplements, vitamins, energizers are also provided to the players, which help them in staying fit.
So fasten your seatbelts, sit back, and enjoy the next four weeks of this entertainment packed cricket extravaganza!
Get ready for an action packed four weeks as the main stage of the ICC World Twenty20 is about to begin on 15th March, 2016. Brace yourselves for nail-biting clashes between nations during the next few weeks.
Find out the World cup T20 2016 Fixtures
Having Test Cricket and ODI’s as the two forms of cricket for many years, ICC decided to launch another, more exciting format called the twenty over a-side format. The first of these ICC World T20 tournaments was played in the year 2007 at South Africa. The final was played at the famous Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg between two bitter rivals, India and Pakistan. India came out victorious in a nail biting finish on that day. The 2009 edition of the event was held in the home of cricket, England. The final was held in Lord’s, where Pakistan came out victorious, beating Sri Lanka. In 2010, England surprised the entire world by beating arch rivals Australia and clinching the crown. England used the underdog tag to good effect and ran out winners at Bridgetown, Barbados. In 2012, the tournament moved into Asia for the first time, with Sri Lanka being the hosts. The host nation reached the final, but fell short against the mighty West Indians. The tournament stayed in Asia in 2014, with Bangladesh as the hosts. Sri Lanka turned up well against a very strong Indian side, and comfortably clinched the title.
The T20 format requires players to be extremely fit and agile. It is the shortest format of the game, yet the most demanding. Players always need to be on their feet and should rarely do a mistake on the field. Dropped catches and miss-fields could end up being very costly. The players spend hours and hours working on their fitness, day in and day out. They are constantly pushed by the support staff to get in shape, and to stay fit. They are put on strict diets along with their fitness plans and are expected to follow these with full sincerity. Different supplements, vitamins, energizers are also provided to the players, which help them in staying fit.
So fasten your seatbelts, sit back, and enjoy the next four weeks of this entertainment packed cricket extravaganza!
