My World Twenty20 predictions
Post categories: TMS team
| 18:32 UK time, Wednesday, 17 June 2009
After a at , and the is reaching its climax over the next few days with the semi-finals and finals in both the men's and women's competition.
91Èȱ¬ Radio will have ball-by-ball commentary on all the remaining six games starting with the first women's semi-final between New Zealand and India from Trent Bridge on Thursday with Five Live Sports Extra's coverage starting at 1245 BST.
Then join and on Five Live Sports Extra and Radio Four long wave from 1715 BST for commentary on Pakistan against the favourites South Africa.
, who coached Pakistan to the final of the competition two years ago, will be part of our team at Trent Bridge.
Then on Friday the Oval hosts two semi-finals starting with the mouth-watering clash between England and Australia in the women's competition.
As you may have read in Alison Mitchell's blog - although England are still favourites to add the World Twenty20 title to it could be a difficult semi-final for and her team with England having lost their last three games against the old enemy.
England all-rounder Rosalie Birch will be part of our commentary team on Five Live Sports Extra from 1245.
Then it's the second men's semi-final with Sri Lanka taking on England's conquerors the West Indies with coverage on Five Live Sports Extra and Radio Four Long Wave from 1715 BST.
Jonathan Agnew and will be providing commentary with summarisers including and .
Then on Sunday it's finals day with our coverage getting under way from 1000 BST on Five Live Sports Extra and Radio Four long wave for the women's final.
Jonathan Agnew and Alison Mitchell lead our team for ball-by-ball commentary with former England women's captain one of our summarisers.
Then the men's final will be live over on Five Live as part of a fantastic day of sports coverage.
The World Twenty20 final follows commentary on the from around 1500 BST with Jonathan Agnew and Arlo White leading our team.
91Èȱ¬ Two will have highlights on Thursday, Friday and Sunday evening with coverage of the final following the last episode of the excellent 91Èȱ¬ documentary "The Empire of Cricket" from 2200 BST.
Let's hope the final lives up to the thrilling climax to the inaugural tournament with India defeating Pakistan in the last over of the match.
Of course we don't know yet who'll be featuring on Sunday. But for what it's worth, here is my uneducated prediction for you to disagree with.
I think Pakistan will spring a surprise at Trent Bridge on Thursday and defeat the favourites South Africa.
I know side have looked unstoppable so far but I just think they could be due for an off-day and if they are, then Pakistan could be the side to benefit.
They have such a varied bowling attack with the likes of and of course one of the bowlers of the tournament .
Then I think Sri Lanka will finally end the run of the West Indies at the Oval. Sri Lanka are also unbeaten but I think they have already had their off-day against Ireland but still managed to come through with a win.
Plus the variety in Sri Lanka's bowling attack makes Pakistan's look almost predictable with two mystery spinners in and , the slinger and the number one ranked one-day bowler in the world .
Then I tip Sri Lanka to edge Pakistan at Lord's in the final.
But as I say my predictions are normally entirely wrong so I wouldn't rush down to the bookmakers on my recommendations!
I just hope we get some cracking matches to give the tournament an exciting conclusion - and I hope you'll join us for our coverage.
Comment number 1.
At 17th Jun 2009, AndyWilts wrote:I've backed Sri Lanka since early in the first stage. They have everything in their team : exhilarating batsmen, clever batsmen, top quality fast bowling, amazing spinners, superb & skilful fielding.
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Comment number 2.
At 17th Jun 2009, start_of_an_era wrote:Not sure about Sri Lanka to win - they struggled in their match against Ireland. West Indies could definitely knock them out.
Based on the tournament so far, I'd have to go with South Africa, though I hope it isn't them - rather like Australia, they're a bit too clinically excellent to be able to love. Would be great if Pakistan won, given the problems they've had in just getting a game.
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Comment number 3.
At 18th Jun 2009, 2 of 3 wrote:I also think that Pakistan will shock SA and win that semi. Gul will be the pick of the Pakistani bowlers.
However, I think WIndies will also win against SL. But to do so the WIndies will have to contain SL to a score around the 150-160 mark. That's a target the WIndies can reach (if chasing) and they've so in every innings they've had so far (they were on track against India but the total posted was smaller; and in theory they did it against England).
It's at the Oval and the WIndies do well there.
A Pak v WI final could be decided on the toss. WIndies will win if they're chasing.
2/3
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Comment number 4.
At 18th Jun 2009, Left_hand_batsman wrote:West Indies vs South Africa final.
Windies to win.
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Comment number 5.
At 18th Jun 2009, Smartjaguarundi wrote:Why doesn't anybody want a South African victory? Are they that bad that even Pakistan should be considered an obvious victor over them?The irony here may actually be that you are throwing the mockers on the very teams you predict to beat them.SA are not such a poor team and you know it.Gul may have played well but SA have faced him and Afridi before.
Im not sure pakistan have never met Steyn,Parnell or Van der merwe.Infact Kalis and Botha are the only bowlers they know in the SA squad.These are not the days of the one dimensional Ntini or the low paced Pollock who depended on line and length more than pace in the later part of his career.
If indeed pakistan are rated so highly,we wait to see them prove your point but objectively speaking,it sounds more of wishful thinking on your part.
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Comment number 6.
At 18th Jun 2009, joyofliving wrote:SAF and SL final is what I'd class as a 'true' final, and hope that it does happen. Pakistan is a team of mavericks, who when performing together are joy to watch, however, this doesn't happen too often. I believe, Pakistan have now run out of their quota of success, and ever dependable SAF team would easily beat them up.
Final would be interesting, however, Lords wicket would be kind to SL's and they would be a winner!
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Comment number 7.
At 18th Jun 2009, betting_guru wrote:All the form suggests an SA v SL final. As to what happens then is anyone's guess, but Sri Lankan fans should be a little bit concerned about the apparent lack of batting depth in their side. Good to see Jayawardene back in the runs, but Jayasuriya is not the player he was, Sangakkara is not at his very best and after those three and Dilshan there's not many who can really take an attack to pieces. I tip South Africa, who have proven biffers all the way down, a multitude of bowling options (including the massively under-rated Roelof can der Merwe) and the best fielders in the tournament.
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Comment number 8.
At 18th Jun 2009, yoponz wrote:I hope Sri Lanka, as they really impressed me when I saw them play the Windies at TB last Monday. Although I agree with Oli, their batting is weak after the top 4, but Mubarak hit a couple of late blows against the Aussies, and its dead exciting watching Mendis and Murali bowl in tandem...come on Sri Lanka!
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Comment number 9.
At 18th Jun 2009, trinigeologist1 wrote:Well by the looks of it Pakistan will knock out SA, and I hope the WI beat Sri Lanka. Rallyyyyyy...rally round d west indies...hope we win :)
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Comment number 10.
At 18th Jun 2009, trinigeologist1 wrote:WI vs. Pakistan final! WI go win.
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Comment number 11.
At 18th Jun 2009, LpoolHooligan wrote:I think pakistan shocked everybody today even me. I reckon it will be a Pakistan v West indies final. Pakistan to Win that. IF sri lanka make it to the final i reckon pakistan will win as they have faced them before.
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Comment number 12.
At 19th Jun 2009, cricketblade wrote:i have been listening to a lot of the cricket and alec stewart predicted that south africa would fall at the semi final stage. will he be commentating on the final. i think he has spoken a lot of sense.
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Comment number 13.
At 19th Jun 2009, I Am Deluded - Hughton Is A Geordie wrote:Ive got a bad feeling WIndies will beat Sri Lanka but then fall short against Pakistan whom Sri Lanka could beat. So for that reason I hope Sri Lanka beat WIndies and the Pakistan. My prediction though: Pakistan :(.
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Comment number 14.
At 19th Jun 2009, gabzxo wrote:I really hope Sri Lanka beats West Indies and gets in to the finals..
Sri Lanka to win!! :)
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Comment number 15.
At 20th Jun 2009, Sevenseaman wrote:Two boxes ticked, and counting. A hunch, an exact science or you have a crystal ball? See ya in two days.
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Comment number 16.
At 21st Jun 2009, Adam Mountford - 91Èȱ¬ Sport wrote:Greetings from Lords. A real sense of excitement here ahead of finals day. Don't forget to join Jonathan Agnew and Alison Mitchell at 10 on Five Live Sports Extra for England v New Zealand in the women's final. This is of course a re-match of the 50 Over World Final won by England in February. Joining Jonathan and Alison will be former England captain Rachael Heyhoe-Flint and former fast bowler Lucy Pearson twice England player of the year who once took eleven wickets in an Ashes Test.
Then the men's final between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be over on FIVE LIVE from 3pm after the British Grand Prix. Jonathan Agnew and Arlo White will be joined by Geoff Lawson who coached Pakistan in the final of this competition two years ago plus Dermot Reeve and Phil Tufnell.
Promises to be a great day - hope you join us for it. I'm still going for Sri Lanka in the men's final and hoping for England in the first game , although it will not be easy !
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Comment number 17.
At 21st Jun 2009, L A Odicean wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 18.
At 21st Jun 2009, David Shield wrote:Well done Adam with your semi-final predictions.
I also want to praise you and your team for the excellent coverage of this year's World Twenty20. It has been an excellent couple of weeks, a perfect format for the commpetition, enjoyable matches and the weather didn't spoil too many matches, although slightly ironic that the weather caused most problems to the hosts!
But I really have enjoyed the coverage on 91Èȱ¬ Radio. You put together a great team with the likes of Aggers, Arlo and Simon Mann leading the way, great to hear Mark Pougatch and Simon Hughes getting some matches. And its always nice to hear from friends from overseas Tony Cozier, Sunil Gavaskar and Jermey Coney. The inspired choice of Geoff Lawson who as one of my favourite summerisers I have been pleased to hear working on quite a lot of the matches! I hope he is back for the Ashes.
I'm listening to the final current on Five Live and it has been good to get a few of the weekend matches on Five Live so good scheduling as well.
And of course well done to the England's Women's Team for winning the women's World Twenty20.
Cant wait for the Ashes now!
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Comment number 19.
At 21st Jun 2009, cliffstates wrote:Quibble with previous post on the finals coverage. Five live's interruptions for news, golf, track and field spoil the flow of TMS. It is those down moments that make the program unique. And while Arlo White's bombastic style might suit him better for 2020 than test matches, the whole package sounded just like football coverage if you weren't listening to what was being said. If the future of tms = 2020 on five live, tune me out.
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Comment number 20.
At 22nd Jun 2009, voice_pakistan wrote:Salam to all here...
so PAKISTAN once again struck here in lords after 1992 wc. again the same pattern, lost early matches and then won against the hot favs. Well as said' Pakistani team is capable of doing upsets.' they did it again. am happy Pakistani:) GEOO TOO ASEE(live like this)
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Comment number 21.
At 22nd Jun 2009, Phil wrote:Hi Adam,
The World Twenty20 has been an excellent competition, the coverage on 91Èȱ¬ radio has been excellent as always and it has been really good having some cricket back on 91Èȱ¬ tv. The highlights programmes have been very well put together and I've been enjoying Empire of Cricket too.
Lets hope this isn't it for cricket on 91Èȱ¬ tv for the next few years, and you are able to follow it up with highlights of the ICC Champions Trophy later this year, next years World Twenty20 and the 50 Overs World Cup, plus perhaps even the away Test matches???
I know you work for radio, but would you be able to find out from your tv colleagues what the future 91Èȱ¬ tv cricket plans are please?
many thanks
Phil
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Comment number 22.
At 22nd Jun 2009, rac21ers wrote:Why oh why is Arlo White allowed to spoil cricket coverage--it's not football but obviously the lowest denominator that is Radio 5 with news interuptions--if I want them I listen to Radio 4 when the cricket is on.
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Comment number 23.
At 25th Jun 2009, perfectcantona wrote:I can't for the life of me understand why Arlo White is given so much prominance on TMS.I visibly wince ever time I find out he's part of the commentary team (practically every game for the 20/20) as I know I'll be reaching for the off-switch. His constant witterings and shouting just jars. It seems to that cricket didn't exist until 2004 for Arlo when for some reason he was elevated from reading out sports reports on 5Live breakfast to tormenting me on TMS.
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