By Alec Swann
June 8th 2009 @ 7:52am
Twenty20 World Cup? Bring on The Ashes
India win Twenty20 World Cup - Image AP Photo/Aman Sharma
As phony wars go, the Twenty20 Cup is pretty impressive. Twelve countries competing for India’s crown in a fortnight of hyped-up carnage before the main event takes centre stage. And lets face it, the Ashes is what everyone is waiting for.
It’s like going to a concert and watching the supporting band who you might’ve barely heard of before seeing the group you’ve shelled out your hard earned on.
At least, that’s the feeling over here.
Ever since England were humiliated in Australia in 2006-7, the upcoming series has been been at the top of the English cricketing agenda.
The next fixture has always been the focus, but the spectre of the Ashes has never been far behind. Any performance, from both individual or team, has had to be placed in the context of the Australian’s visit.
Judging by the mood at the start of the summer, the West Indies might as well have not turned up – judging by their efforts, I’m not sure they did – but that didn’t stop every little thing being analysed to the extreme.
Is Ravi Bopara the right man to bat at number three? Should Matt Prior bat at number six? Will two spinners be a worthwhile tactic?
With a month to go until the first Test in Cardiff, England are in pretty good shape. Apart from the never ending worries over Andrew Flintoff’s fitness, there are few concerns.
The aggression that was missing during the 1-0 series defeat in the Caribbe an seemed to have returned, the side looked well-balanced and, crucially, they won.
England went into the 2005 series on the back of series victories and although the West Indies provided scant resistance, they still had to be put away.
And inevitably that has led to an inflation of expectation regarding their chances against Ricky Ponting’s side.
All this after their recent win in South Africa which should have added a touch of reality to proceedings.
Defeat in India and at home to the Proteas, coupled with a promising showing by England in India, suggested that Australia were there for the taking and if they had gone down in South Africa, the obituary would’ve been half written.
The fact that that didn’t happen has whetted the appetite for the contest even more.
For all the talk, from both sides, of concentrating on what is at hand and worrying about the Ashes when they come round, don’t believe for one minute that they aren’t at the forefront of their thoughts.
And that is why the phony war is exactly that.
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Spiro Zavos said | June 8th 2009 @ 12:34pm | Report comment
It looks like Ricky Ponting is saving up runs for the real thing, the Ashes Tests. The T20 though does seem to suggest that Brett Lee may well be finished as front line Test bowler. My feeling is that he might re-invent himself as a bowling/batsman, a better bowling all-rounder that Shane Watson. Also, the total lack of a decent spinner is being exposed and this could have repercussions in the Ashes series, especially if the wicket at Cardiff is prepared for spin as the pundits are suggesting.
Sam said | June 8th 2009 @ 12:50pm | Report comment
What typical Aussie spin. Just because Australia has no idea how to play the game, it automatically becomes a non event to Australian cricket supporters. Yes the Ashes and Test Match Cricket appeals to the traditionalist of the great game, however once the Aussie side, and its supporters acknowledge that there is skill involved in T20 – demonstrated by the Windies great slower bowling on Saturday- then maybe the team will acknowledge that this is real game, played (and played well mind you) by a majority of teams around the world. Ponting and his mates should try and catch up to the standard of the likes of the Windies and India, rather than poo-pooing the game and the tournament as a time filler.
True Tah said | June 8th 2009 @ 1:00pm | Report comment
Sam good point, but after losing to the Cheesheads, I guess the Poms can only look forward to the Ashes.
joeb said | June 8th 2009 @ 2:06pm | Report comment
Spiro when you say that Punter could be saving up runs for ‘the real thing’, and hopefully he is, there’s also the possibility that Lee is likewise ’saving himself’ for when it really counts, apparently LIVE on both Foxtel and free-to-air SBS TV. Should be a marvellous series.
Sam “Ponting and his mates should try and catch up to the standard of the likes of the Windies and India,”. If this is the only form of cricket the once formidable Windies excel at these days, then it’s a worry, and as for India they should get their priorities straight: test cricket is where it’s at, and they’re really not that far from becoming the dominant country in the traditional form of the game.
True Tah yes those Cheeseheads do come up with some top cheeses, somewhat expensive however at my local deli, though I was saddened to discover recently that the Philips brand is no ore in Oz. Apparently our market is viewed as ‘too small’ for them to cater to they claim so they’ve departed our shores. Bummer, cos their TVs were pretty darn good. Love their ‘PP’ button — ‘personal preference’ settings button.
joeb said | June 8th 2009 @ 2:09pm | Report comment
Oops — Philips brand is no [m]ore in Oz.
Brian said | June 8th 2009 @ 2:31pm | Report comment
I agree with Sam. Both England & Australia are looking out of depth at T20 and so its their supporters who are looking towards the Ashes. For the rest of the cricketing world these Ashes will probably be irrelevant as unlike 2005 when say 3rd in the world hosted the world champions, now two average nations are going to battle. I will still follow the Ashes but the T20 Final will now doubt get more interest and viewers than the Ashes
joeb said | June 8th 2009 @ 2:50pm | Report comment
“I will still follow the Ashes but the T20 Final will no doubt get more interest and viewers than the Ashes.” Probably has something to do with ‘instant gratification’ that today’s younger generation are so hooked on? Personally I can’t take T20 seriously for a second — it’s over before the contest begins is all I’ve got out of it. Tests are still no.1 followed by one dayers in my book.
Sambo said | June 8th 2009 @ 6:26pm | Report comment
Joeb
If this the only form of the game that the Windies excel at then its not a worry at all, it shows they are keeping up with the times and progressing with a game that is undoubtably the future of cricket. Whilst Chris Gayle’s comments about the future of test cricket was probably out of order, it was on the money. Look at Dirk Nannes, couldnt get a gig with the Aussies at the T20 World Cup, even after a stellar IPL season and is now with the Dutch side at the tournament. Hold on to your old fashioned views that Test Matches are the be all and end all and T20 is akin to the anti christ, but you will no doubt be out voted in the next 5-10 years with the rise of the T20 and the complete of abolishment of ODI
Justin said | June 8th 2009 @ 6:56pm | Report comment
The nature of T20 is that one innings can win a match. Hats off to Gayle, well played.
AUS are not finished in this turnie yet to all those writing them off.
Spiro – We already have a bowling AR – his name is Johnson and he beats Lee in both disciplines. By the way Watson is a batting AR.
Sam – one loss does not make a (cold) summer, dont get too excited.
Brian – England are below average in the Test arena, AUS far far above that (beat SA in SA)
Sambo – how could AUS not have had Nannes in the team let alone the extended squad. Take a bow MR Hilshit!
Colin N said | June 9th 2009 @ 12:30am | Report comment
“but after losing to the Cheesheads, I guess the Poms can only look forward to the Ashes.”
Hmmm, England have now qualified for the Super 8, so they still have something to play for.
Tbh, I couldn’t really care for the Ashes that much, despite having a previous passion for the sport. The reasons – there’s no test at Old Trafford and it’s not on terrestrial TV in Britain, which is a shame.
Sam said | June 9th 2009 @ 10:34am | Report comment
And there go the Aussies gentlemen..outplayed (again) in this format of the game. Once again cold water poured over the situation by Ponting, citing heavy workloads and lack of IPL experience which other countries have. Turn it up mate, perhaps you should look at some home truths about your squad.
Warner is and always will be a one game wonder (vs SA at the MCG),
Watson is overrated and continually injured, both Hussey’s are inconsistent in not only this, but the 50 over version of the game.
Lee is pretty much finished and
The only players you can rely on consistently in T20 Cricket/ODI are Johnson, Clarke and Symonds, one of which rates fishing and beer guzzling over cricket. Try and catch up to the world standard, personally I hope this is the beginning of the end.
FIsher Price said | June 9th 2009 @ 12:05pm | Report comment
Ponting’s been mediocre for 18 months. I suspect he’ll pass 50 once during the Ashes series (just like he did in 05).
Jameswm said | June 9th 2009 @ 12:22pm | Report comment
Several things are obvious from the T20 debacle:
1. we needed to pick T20 specialists – bowlers like Nannes and batsmen like Dighton and others who have excelled in the IPL
2. the test guys like Ponting, Lee, Clarke and MHussey just don’t have the T20 experience. Clarke looked awful, as he does opening at 50 over level.
3. we had the wrong openers. You need at least one who is a legitimate test batsman at that level, to deal with quality openers. And Mitch Johnson should have batted at 3, which I said after the first game. You can’t waste one of the best strikers of the ball at no.8, and he’s actually very good at picking the right ball. Haddin, Warner/Watson and Johnson as the top 3. In fact I’d go Haddin, Hughes/Katich/one of the state players and Johnson as the T20 top 3.
4. we were too arrogant in our tactics. We just thought we’re better players than you so we’ll dominate. Lee thought if I come in and bowl fast that will be enough.
5. the other teams out-thought us – they varied their batting, bowling and fielding positions to suit, even in the middle of overs. More evidence Ponting isn’t a creative enough captain
6. we lacked variety. Mitch Johnson has an awesome slower ball but I barely remember him bowling it. Our batsmen didn’t know what had hit them when guys like Mendis came on.
7. It will mean absolutely nothing when the tests start.