Bloody Pakistan ;-)

I can't believe it! After storming through our early matches South Africa got tripped up by the Pakistani's in the semi-finals of 2009 T20 World Cup.

Honestly I thought we had this tournament in the bag and personally I still believe that we are the best T20 side in the world.... Unfortunately the record book are going to say something very different when the world looks back on this tournament.

I have to tip my hat to Pakistan - they have once again come out of nowhere and are suddenly competing for a handy piece of silverware. Been an intriguing tournament without question.

Umar Gul and those last two overs he bowled were brilliant and I think he has given many international quick bowlers and answer to the question - "How the hell do you bowl in T20 cricket?!"

Great performance from Pakistan!

Hhhhmmmm

No Australia, No England and No India in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup.... That's a bit of a surprise there....

England I didn't expect to get there but India have surprised me - thought they were going to put in a more consistent showing....

As I posted a couple of weeks back I put money down on SA, New Zealand, the West Indies and Bangladesh to win the tournament.... Three out of the four semi-finalists is not too bad.

Again good quality spinners have shone in the tournament.... Not quite the IPL but it's great when you're winning!

T20 Day 2

So Holland came through for me and beat the Poms at Lords! Hahahahhaha what a great start to the T20 World Cup - nothing better than watching the English side self destruct and keep letting the underdogs back into the side.

Lots of cricket on today and here are the bets I have placed. Teams haven't been confirmed so check the betting

New Zealand vs Scotland

• Coetzer - Top Scottish batter
  
• Ross Taylor or Jacob Oram to top the New Zealand batting - although Oram would assume that the Scots take a few wickets
  

Australia vs West Indies

• West Indies to win the game
• Dwayne Bravo - West Indies top batter
• David Hussey - Top Aussie batter

India vs. Bangladesh

• Ashraful - Top Bangladesh batter
  
• Top indian batter I spread three bets across Sehwag, Pathan and Jadeja (if he plays)
  

Happy punting

T20 World Cup

The T20 World Cup 2009 is due to kick off on the 6th of June and I thought it might be a bit of fun to take a look at the various sides and their prospects.

Bearing in mind that T20 is a bit of a lottery and last time around Bangladesh knocked out India and the West Indies incredibly managed to qualify ahead of us on some technicality, the T20 should be a bit of fun.

Group A

• India
• Bangladesh
• Ireland
  

Group B

• Pakistan
• England
• Netherlands

Group C

• Australia
• Sri Lanka
• West Indies

Group D

• New Zealand
• South Africa
• Scotland

There is quite a lot of whingeing about the composition of Group C in particular for obvious reasons and its actually quite interesting because I've put a few bucks down on the West Indies winning the whole thing.... which means ODI specialists Sri Lanka or Australia get knocked out in the first round.

Put some money down on SA as well just to keep things interesting...

Of the sides I reckon those in with a reasonable shout have to be Australia, South Africa, India, New Zealand and the West Indies. I think the rest are really there to make up the numbers.... until Pakistan prove me wrong.

Anybody else out there got any favourites / thoughts for this competition?