Cricket’s sexiest format is coming to Australia this month in the form of the 2022 T20 World Cup. Rusted-on cricket fans will remember last year’s World Cup – which Australia won – and wonder why there is another tournament barely 12 months later. Fair question. This version is making up for the postponed 2020 event, and the original 2022 T20 World Cup was brought forward to 2021.
Confused? OK. It doesn’t really matter. What does matter is that the most explosive batters, quickest bowlers, and craftiest spinners will converge on Australia over the next week to begin their quest for World Cup glory. All up, 16 nations will compete.
The T20 format is cricket’s quick fix. Designed to be completed in just over three hours, the newest version of the sport appeals to a broader section of society. It’s entertaining in a bells-and-whistles sense. Kids love it and it has introduced a new audience to the game.
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Here is everything you need to know ahead of the 2022 T20 World Cup.
Which Countries Are Competing And How Does It Work?
The tournament begins with 16 nations, all ranked 1-16 by the governing body. The lowest eight ranked of these countries – Sri Lanka, West Indies, Ireland, Scotland, UAE, Netherlands, Namibia and Zimbabwe – will compete to make it through to the Super 12 stage from October 16-21.
Currently, there are eight automatically qualified countries. Australia, India, Pakistan, England, New Zealand, Bangladesh, South Africa and Afghanistan. They will be joined by the next best four for the Super 12s.
This staggered approach will continue, with the four best teams from the Super 12 stage advancing to the semi-finals.
In the Super 12 stage, there will be two groups of six, meaning each country plays five matches before either moving to the knockout games or bowing out.
In the 2024 T20 World Cup to be held in the West Indies and USA, there will be 20 nations competing.
Which Teams Are Best Placed To Win?
Australia’s recent form has been patchy, but as the reigning champions, they deserve the favourites tag, especially on their home turf. On paper, the Aussies have tremendous depth in all departments. As a sign of their strength, Steve Smith is likely to carry the drinks. There is no room for him in the best XI.
India was poor last year but still possesses generational stars, while England is probably your best bet if you’re looking for some value. On paper, South Africa is very good, but they’ve never made a final of a T20 World Cup and are renowned chokers in global tournaments. Steer clear.
Sri Lanka and the West Indies are outsiders, as are Bangladesh and Afghanistan. All four have matchwinners but would be long odds to win the entire thing. Contrastingly, Pakistan is worthy of serious consideration. They have excellent quicks, handy spin, and fearless batters. They often lift in big tournaments too.
New Zealand will fight hard but doesn’t deserve too much attention. Their bowling is mediocre and they rely on too few with the bat.
My tip is for Australia to defeat Pakistan in the final.
Where Will Games Be Played And How Can I Watch?
The 2022 T20 World Cup will be played in seven cities around the country. The qualifying games before the Super 12 stage will alternate between Hobart and Geelong.
Then, when the real shit starts with the big dogs, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth and Melbourne will share the matches. The SCG will host the first Australian match of the tournament on Saturday, October 22, against New Zealand. It will also host one of the semi-finals, as will Adelaide Oval.
But the final – which could produce a crowd of close to 100,000 – will be played at the MCG on November 13.
Foxtel is the official broadcast partner of the 2022 T20 World Cup. You can watch every game live on Fox Sports or Kayo.
Three Can’t-Miss Batters
Australia’s David Warner was player of the tournament last year and at 35, he’s showing no signs of slowing down. An opener, he can crank it up whenever he feels like it. If he’s in the right mood, the Aussies don’t lose. His career numbers are ridiculous, and he relishes the big stage. Alongside Chris Gayle, Warner is probably the greatest T20 batter of all time.
England’s Joss Buttler is not just their captain and wicket-keeper, he’s also their gun-opening batter. A bit like Warner, he can turn a game on its head in the space of a few balls.
India’s Virat Kohli averages more than 50 in T20 cricket. It’s absurd. No player in the history of the game chases totals, as well as Kohli, does. He also enjoys bouncy Aussie wickets. He’s rebounded recently too following an uncharacteristic lean patch.
Special mentions: Rohit Sharma, Aiden Markram, Babar Azam.
Three Can’t-Miss Bowlers
South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada is terrifyingly quick. He also possesses a searing yorker and a mean bouncer. His country’s hopes rest largely on his shoulders.
Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan is a great success story from a cricketing minnow nation. A leg-spinner, Khan has dominated the Big Bash for the Adelaide Strikers for several years. He’s probably the best slow bowler in the world in this format.
Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan has taken more T20 World Cup wickets (41) than anyone in the history of the tournament. The left-arm finger spinner is a proven absolute jet and also bats well in the middle order. Special mentions: Josh Hazlewood, Mark Wood, Trent Boult.
Player Of The Tournament
Virat Kohli has been a player of the tournament twice and it’s always wise to look at batters in this market for the simple reason that the T20 format is a batter-friendly game.
Pitches are flatter, boundaries are in, and generally, it’s tough for bowlers to dominate consistently across the duration of a tournament. David Miller from South Africa is in sublime form with the stick, while Mitch Marsh from Australia is primed for a huge tournament too. I’m backing Marsh – who will bat at no.3 for Australia and top scored in the 2021 final.
