The much talked out ICC Men’s T20 Cricket world cup 2021 is nearing its completion. COVID19 impacted sporting events in all countries. Not only domestic and bilateral contests, many global events including Olympic was impacted. T20 world Cup 2020 in Australia had to be rescheduled. Even T20 World cup 2021 originally scheduled to be held in India required relocating in UAE and Oman. Strict bio security protocol is still being observed for players and persons directly liked with the matches. It is great that the global event is coming to an end.  

Experts, analysts and cricket writers thought India, England, New Zealand and West Indies would be among the favorites progressing to the semi finals. Pakistan and South Africa were believed to be dark horses . Australia was not in the radar for the analysts.  It is great that of the six only reigning champions West Indies is out of the context at this moment on 6 November 2021. Pakistan and England have more or less confirmed their berth for the semifinal with four wins in four matches. For the remaining two positions Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and India are in the hunt. Australia plays West Indies and South Africa plays England today. These two matches would decide which team joins England for the semi final from Group one. Tomorrow New Zealand meets Afghanistan and India plays Namibia. If New Zealand wins the other match would be of no consequence. India would have return home. But if Afghanistan wins 3 teams would have 6 points. India with higher run rates may still qualify for the semi final through the back door. ICC would definitely welcome as they would create opportunity for a blockbuster India Pakistan final. 

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Points Table (6 November 2021)
Group One 

Group Two 

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Preview Of Matches Today

Two matches of great significance would be played today. First Match is between current ODI Champion England and Choker tagged South Africa. The second one is between Current T20 Champion West Indies against never to be discounted in global contest Australia. 

True that England is playing good cricket at this moment. The team appears win hungry, better balanced with good penetrative pace attack and good spinners. Moreover, the batting looks balanced with good top order, skilled middle order and power hitters at late order. But that does not necessarily mean that they are invincible. South Africans are known as Chokers. If they do not choke again they have opportunities to win. If they manage to win they would have 8 points and if also Australia wins against West Indies which is the most likely situation three teams would end up at 8 points. England with far better run rates have little worries unless they loose big. Australia also have better run rates. They must also try to win big against West Indies.

England VS South Africa: 
England:  Jason Roy, Jos Buttler (WK), David Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone, Eoin Morgan (Capt), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid and Mark Wood

South Africa:  Quinton de Kock (WK), Reeza Hendricks, Temba Bavuma (Capt), Aiden Markram,  Rassie van der Dussen,  David Miller,  Dwaine Pretorius,  Kagiso Rabada,  Keshav Maharaj,  Anrich Nortje,  Tabraiz Shamsi

I think as far as bowling in considered there is nothing much to choose between the teams. Perhaps Nortje, Rabada and Pretorius may be a bit better combination than Jordan, Wood and Woakes. English spinners Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid and Livingstone are inches above Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi. England edges South Africa in batting. Roy, Buttler, Malan, Bairstow, Livingsone and Morgan and way ahead of de Kock, Hendricks, Bavuma ,Markram ,vander Dussen. England also have depth in batting Moeen Ali, Woakes and Rashid are capable batsmen. David Miller and Pretorius are also good but may not be good enough against English attack. It will be a good match. South Africa can win but they would need to win big. 

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Australia VS West Indies:
Australia with better run rates is better placed than South Africa and their task against under performing West Indies is bit easier. But who knows whether West Indies can deliver, whether they would produce A game today? The sleeping volcano can erupt. Players like Universe Boss Gayle, blaster Pollard, Russell can rock and sweep away Aussie Challenge. But Kangaroos whenever get a sniff usually deliver. They must be hungry now for the big show. 
Australia: David Warner, Aaron Finch (Capt), Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith,  Glenn Maxwell,  Marcus Stoinis,  Matthew Wade (WK),  Pat Cummins,  Mitchell Starc,  Adam Zampa,  Josh Hazlewood
West Indies:  Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Nicholas Pooran (WK),  Roston Chase,  Shimron Hetmyer,  Andre Russell,  Kieron Pollard (Capt), 8 Jason Holder, 9 Dwayne Bravo,  Akeal Hosein, Ravi Rampaul/Hayden Walsh Jr

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No one could question about West Indies team composition. Never again in near future world cricket would witness so many T20 match winners assembled in a team. But something somewhere went wrong. The batting did not click and malfunctioning batting machine collapsed. They lost big against major opposition. The bowling is pretty ordinary. Australia is expected to win. Their brilliant pace attack and Zampa can squeeze West Indies batsmen. But against likes of Gayle, Pollard, Russell, Leiws, Pooran and Hetmeyer Australia needs to come up with A game. Few players would have swansong. They may sign off with a big bang. If both Australia and South Africa loose then also Australia may qualify for better run rates. From Group One England and Australia are likely semi finalists in my opinion. 

BDST: 1301 HRS, NOV 06, 2021

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