Armchair fans in good company as T20 gets interesting

Twenty20 cricket has been around for a few years now and it is unlikely to be disappearing anytime soon. The TV companies love it. A game of cricket that lasts for just 4 hours and has boundaries and excitement galore. The authorities love it too, grounds are full midweek as people come after work to watch the action and consume pricey food and beer. Personally, I wasn’t too sure about the format, until this week that is. In the first 6 days we have seen big upsets, thousands of runs and numerous enormous sixes. And if all that wasn’t good enough, we have finally stumbled across a form of cricket at which Australia are rubbish.


The tournament began with an almighty bang. No one gave the Netherlands a chance in the opening match. Even as England clocked up a less than impressive 162 in their 20 overs the upset never looked likely. But the hosts bowling and fielding faltered and the Dutch, inspired by the cavalier Tom de Grooth, kept the game alive into the final over. Stuart Broad will learn a lot of lessons during a career currently in its infancy, none however, will be as clearly visible on his face as the realization that he had handed the match to the Dutch courtesy of overthrows. Still England recovered two days later to put Pakistan to the sword and make it through to the Super 8's. Paul Collingwood's team much improved in their second game; the fielding in particular of a much higher standard. No host has ever won a major tournament, in Cricket, Rugby or Football, after losing the first match, but maybe that scare against the Netherlands is just what England needed to fire them up.


Almost as pleasing as England's progress to the next round was Australia's early elimination from the tournament. Ricky Ponting's side may have been in the toughest group but no one expected them to be ousted from proceedings so early on. Ponting may make light of the exit but make no mistake, the Aussies hate losing, even in Twenty20 cricket where defeat for them is becoming common. Whether this minor catastrophe has an effect on the Ashes will become apparent later in the summer, but for now lets just enjoy the memory of Brett Lee repeatedly bowling no balls, and being hit for consecutive sixes by Chris Gayle.


So while the Australians, hang around in hotel rooms, bitterly watching the action on Sky Sports, the Super 8 stage begins on Thursday without them. The winner will surely come from the trio of South Africa, who have looked imperious so far, with Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis both in great form. India, the reigning champions, with the most Twenty20 experience in their squad. Or Sri Lanka who have the bizarre action of Lasith Malinga to call on. Elsewhere Pakistan could be dark horses after doing to the Dutch what England could not. Special mention too, should go to Ireland for once again progressing in a major tournament. Many will be surprised at their progress but anyone who remembers the last world cup in the Caribbean will not. So let's all sit back, switch on the TV and enjoy the business end of the tournament. Pass the remote, Ricky.