The T20 World Cup is more than cricket's attempt to crack America, it is also the game finally opening its doors to the whole planet, says Stephan Shemilt.
Only 195 days after the men’s 50-over World Cup ended, the T20 version gets under way on Saturday. There is a women’s T20 World Cup later this year and 50-over event in 2025, not to mention various Champions Trophies, Intertoto Cups and Universal Championships. Some of those may be fictional, but you get the idea.
It is a stretch to think this event will have the same impact on the sporting consciousness of the United States as the football World Cup of 1994 and, in reality, it is a tournament held in the Caribbean plus a portion taking place in the US. It is the US, Canada, Uganda and Papua New Guinea that bring the real intrigue, colour and stories to the tournament. It could be argued – and may well prove to be true – that their presence will result in some mis-matches, but cricket is now mirroring football and rugby in inviting the entire planet to a World Cup. Twenty teams is the biggest cricket World Cup of any kind.
The teams outside of the elite will fancy their chances of landing some blows on the big boys. Ireland, cricketing giants compared to some of the nations competing, beat eventual champions England two years ago in Australia. The Netherlands caused chaos in the 50-over tournament in India and the US have just won a series against Bangladesh. Further up the food chain, Afghanistan will think they can muscle into the last eight.
Defending champions England are in the weaker half of the draw, under pressure after a feeble defence of their 50-over world title. A semi-final spot feels a minimum requirement to calm speculation over the futures of captain Jos Buttler and coach Matthew Mott. If the draw goes to plan, England will have to finish in the top two of a group also including South Africa, West Indies and Pakistan. They are more than capable of doing so, even if the Windies will be hugely dangerous in home conditions and with a point to prove after failing to qualify for the 50-over World Cup.
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