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It must be a typo, I thought. Or a joke? Australia is seeded number nine in the World Twenty20. But first, IPL, with all its sixes, bomb blasts and controversies involving politicians is coming to an end this Sunday in Mumbai.
And there will soon be more sleepless nights for the devotees of instant cricket, as on 30 April, the third ICC World Twenty20 starts in the West Indies.
Being the winner of the inaugural World Twenty20 in 2007, it is surprising that India is seeded no. 6 in the current World Twenty20. It comes as a greater shock that Australia is seeded no. 9, even below Bangladesh, who is seeded at no.8.
Last time’s winner, Pakistan, is top-seeded, followed by Sri Lanka, South Africa, West Indies, England, India, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Australia, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and Ireland.
The 12 countries are divided in four groups: each group having three countries. The two best from each group will make the Super 8. So expect the unexpected.
The winner of the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in 2007, India, is in Group C, along with South Africa and Afghanistan.
In Group A, Australia will face Shahid Afridi-led Pakistan on 2 May and Bangladesh on 5 May.
The Super 8 commences on 6 May, the semi-finals on 13 and 14 May at St Lucia and the Final at Barbados on 16th.
How will Australia go in the third World Twenty20? They reserve their best when under-estimated. The underdog status brings out the red-hot best among the Aussies.
Remember how the under-rated Allan Border-led Australians shocked the cricketing world by winning the Fifty50 World Cup in India in 1987? The Australians would be fired up at this slap on the face.
The Oz squad for the 2010 World T20 is: Michael Clarke (captain), Brad Haddin (wk), Mike Hussey, David Hussey, Shane Watson, David Warner, Cameron White, Brett Lee (if fit), Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Tait, Nathan Hauritz, Dirk Nannes, Tim Paine (wk), Steven Smith and Daniel Christian.
Mike Hussey is the eldest at almost 35 and NSW’s leg-spinning big-hitting all-rounder Steven Smith youngest at 20.
If Lee is unfit, Doug Bollinger or Ryan Harris can fill in. Although Ricky Ponting will be missed, Australia has enough fire power to lift the World T20 and embarrass the seeding committee.
In Warner, Watson, Haddin, White and young Smith they have ‘six-o-maniacs’ who will pulverize any attack. Stability will come through skipper Clarke and the Hussey brothers.
Johnson, Tait and Lee (if fit) will spearhead the attack and Hauritz will spin with economy. In T20, dot balls are precious gems and no-balls a big no-no. They should aim at the former and avoid the latter.
According to reports, the defending champions Pakistan suffered a major blow when Umar Gul and Yasir Arafat were ruled out of the World T20, having failed to recover sufficiently from injuries picked up in the training camp.
Although this is to be confirmed, Pakistan’s loss will be Australia’s gain.