Team India lands in London

The India cricket team arrived at London Heathrow Airport on Friday to participate in the second World Twenty20 tournament that begins on June 5.  Before the team's departure from Mumbai earlier in the day, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who won the cup in 2007, said he was confident about retaining the title, as the current team had enough experience of 20-20 cricket.

India plays their opening match against Bangladesh on June 6 with Ireland being their other opponent in Group A of the 12-team tournament. The 15-member India squad has a deep batting line-up and a potent pace and spin attack.

Exiting T20 Worldcup 2009

The Twenty20 cricket format has been a big hit and has strengthened its position further with the recently concluded IPL2. However, it was the maiden ICC T20 World Cup that set the ball rolling, and with India winning the championship, the Cup of joy runneth over.

Indian players are divided into the eight different IPL teams and enough action happens around these teams, whereas for a country team, T20 World Cup having a national connect has wider reach of audience as compared to IPL. However, it would not be fair to compare the two – T20 and IPL – because they are two different things as both are bigger for their own reasons, and even in viewership profile there is not much difference as they have their own element of following

he T20 World Cup 2009 should be better than the 2007 World Cup and with India as the defending champions, the enthusiasm for the game has only doubled, but viewership will only matter depending on India’s performance. Nevertheless, on the flip side, given that a lot of cricket has already been played, there is also a lot of caution on how much cricket one can take

T20 was very new last year, this year the expectations are very high because India is the defending champions and since most of the players have got practice in the IPL2 itself, therefore, making consumer interest a little more higher than last year

The T20 World Cup 2009 is scheduled to be held from June 5-21, 2009, in England. 

Netherlands (Holland) Squad for T20 World cup 2009

Netherlands (Holland) Squad for T20 World cup 2009

Netherlands may be an unknown team for fans around the globe, but Dutches aren't utterly new to top level cricket. Also known as the Holland team, they have played 42 ODIs spanning back from year 1996 when they made their International debut.

Although an old enough Associate member of ICC, lack of good performances have kept this team cold and fans unaware of their existance over the years. Come T20 World cup 2009, Holland have earned their chances to make a name for themselves.. how? Netherlands were the finalists of Qualifying round with Ireland which was rain abandoned.

Netherlands (Holland) Squad for T20 World cup 2009
Jeroen Smits (Captain/Wicketkeeper), Peter Borren, Mudassar Bukhari, Tom de Grooth, Maurits Jonkman, Alexei Kervezee, Dirk Nannes, Ruud Nijman, Darron Reekers, Edgar Schiferli, Pieter Seelaar, Daan van Bunge, Bas Zuiderent, Ryan tan Doeschate, Eric Szwarczynski.

Ireland Squad for Twenty20 World cup 2009

Ireland Squad for Twenty20 World cup 2009

If there's a next big cricket team it's Ireland. Don't go by their overall ODI record = 36 games, 13 won, 19 lost, 1 tied and 3 no result. not that it's a bad report card, Ireland have mainly played other less known cricket teams around the world to achieve 40.90% success rate.

Ireland Squad for Twenty20 World cup 2009
William Porterfield (Captain), Jeremy Bray, Peter Connell, Andre Botha, Alex Cusack, John Mooney, Trent Johnston, Kyle McCallan, Kevin O’Brien, Naill O’Brien (Wicketkeeper), Boyd Rankin, Paul Stirling, Regan West, Andrew White, Gary Wilson.

Pakistan squad for World Cup Twenty20 2009

Pakistan squad for World Cup Twenty20 2009

Pakistan fans still can't forget 24 September 2007. Chasing 158 in final of T20 World Cup, Pakistan required 13 off the last over and then 6 off remaining 4 balls.. Misbah-ul-Haq played a cheeky shot and was caught at short fine leg. A dream was broken.. and it sure still hurts.

Come June 5 2009, Pakistan have another chance to claim win the glory they missed by a wishker last time and their squad looks as strong as it was last time. half of their players played in first T20 World cup and most of them have plenty of experience of England contiditions where this second installment will be played.

Pakistan squad for World Cup Twenty20 2009
Younis Khan (Captain), Ahmed Shehzad, Fawad Alam, Kamran Akmal (Wicketkeeper), Mohammad Aamer, Misbah-ul-Haq, Saeed Ajmal, Salman Butt, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Yasir Arafat, Shahzaib Hasan.

England twenty20 World Cup Squad 2009

England started cricket, played the first ever International test match. England also played the first one day international and have hosted 4 world cups.. yet, never won it!

England also invented Twenty20 cricket (T20 in short) and will be hosting the second installment of the tournament from June 5th 2009 (schedule), but can they win it on home ground? If we go by their overall T20 record of 6 wins vs 9 loss, chances look very slim.

England twenty20 World Cup Squad 2009
Paul Collingwood (Captain), Ravi Bopara, Kevin Pietersen, Owais Shah, Andrew Flintoff, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Eoin Morgan, James Foster (Wicketkeeper), Robert Key, Graham Napier, Luke Wright, James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Ryan Sidebottom, Graeme Swann.

Bangladesh Squad for Twenty20 World cup 2009

Bangladesh Squad for Twenty20 World Cup 2009

Make no mistakes, Bangaldesh may not have won a single 'respectable' test match (only 1 vs Zimbabwe) and their ODI performance reads only 1 win over Australia (15 lost), 2 wins against India (17 lost), 1 win against New Zealand (13 lost), 1 win against Pakistan (24 lost), 1 win against South Africa (12 lost), 2 wins against Sri Lanka (24 lost).. but as you can see, as the game gets shorter, Bangaldeshi performance improves.

So far, from 10 T20 games, Bangaldesh have won 3 (biggest win = beating West Indies). Last time in first T20 world cup, Bangaldesh made it to second round and they also played the super 8s round in 2007 Cricket world cup.

In short, Bangaldesh are a minnow cricket team with meat to pull off surprises.. The shorter the game, the better thay play!

Bangladesh Squad for Twenty20 World cup 2009

Mohammad Ashraful (Captain), Abdur Razzak, Junaid Siddique, Mahmudullah, Mashrafe Mortaza, Mushfiqur Rahim (Wicketkeepr), Mithun Ali, Naeem Islam, Rubel Hossain, Raqibul Hasan, Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Shahadat Hossain, Syed Rasel, Shamsur Rahman,.

Sri Lanka Twenty20 World Cup Squad

Sri Lanka is a small nation but their cricketers are smaller than none. Always a dark horse, Sri Lanka is specially known for their unusual cricketers which makes them very competitive side for smallest version of cricket.

13 Twenty20 Internationals till date, Sri Lanka has won 8 and lost 5.. figures may not favor lankans but they thrive in England conditions where there's some swing for bowlers and lots of big shots!

Sri Lanka Twenty20 World Cup Squad:
Kumar Sangakkara (Captain & Wicketkeeper), Indika De Saram (Wicketkeeper), Sanath Jayasuriya, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Nuwan Kulasekara, Farveez Maharoof, Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Jehan Mubarak, Ajantha Mendis, Muttiah Muralitharan (Vice-Captain), Chamara Silva, Thilan Thushara, Isuru Udana.

New Zealand twenty20 World Cup Squad

Critics may not count kiwis much going into this second Twenty World Cup 2009 in England, specially since their win/loss percentage of only 42.85 from 21 games.. less than that of West Indies, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, South Africa, Australia and India.

But, one must not forget New Zealand were one of the top four teams in first T20 world cup, losing to Pakistan in semi-finals. and also beat eventual winners Indians in a close encounter!

New Zealand have announced their squad for this 12 nation tournament well in advance, on 7th April 2009 (= 60 days before the actual tournament) when most teams have not even announced their preliminary 30 member squad.

New Zealand T20 World Cup Squad:
Daniel Vettori (Captain), Brendon McCullum (Wicketkeeper), Martin Guptill, Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor, Scott Styris, Neil Broom, Jacob Oram, James Franklin, Nathan McCullum, Ian Butler, Peter McGlashan (Wicketkeeper), Kyle Mills, Brendon Diamanti, Iain O'Brien.

West Indies Twenty 20 Squad

West Indies Twenty 20 Squad

England is a venue West Indies like the most.. why? cause they won world cup here in 1975, again in 1979 and although Caribbean team has lost lot more than they have won in last two decades, they also won the last world cricket tournament that was held in England = Champions trophy 2004.

West Indies comes into this T20 World cup 2009 after 2 test match and 3 one day internationals in England only a week ago, so it has to be said that windies are more acclimatised than most other teams who'll just play couple of warm-up games before the big tournament.

Containing good mix of youth and experience, West Indies squad may not be favorites going into this second installment of T20 tournament, but they sure have the artillery to surprise any team on their day!

West Indies Twenty 20 Squad:

Chris Gayle, Denesh Ramdin, Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Andre Fletcher, Lendl Simmons, Xavier Marshall, Kieron Pollard, David Bernard, Derren Sammy, Fidel Edwards, Jerome Taylor, Lionel Baker, Sulieman Benn 

South Africa Twenty20 squad

South Africa named the following Twenty20 squad for next month's World Cup in England on Monday.

South Africa  Twenty 20 Squad for worldcup : 

The squad: Graeme Smith (captain), Johan Botha, Yusuf Abdulla, Mark Boucher, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Justin Ontong, Wayne Parnell, Robbie Peterson, Dale Steyn, Roelof van der Merwe. 

Scotalnd Squad for Twenty 20 worldcup

The Scotland team have announced their preliminary squad for the world Twenty20 in 2009. The squad consist of consist of 25 players with Matthew Parker and Stuart Chalmers. 

Matthew Parker made his debut in the last season and spent the last three months playing and training in Australia as part of his commitment to the full time cricket performance course at Telford College in Edinburgh.

Scotland has been grouped with New Zealand and South Africa for the World Twenty20. They will play warm-up games against England and the Netherlands on June 2 and 3.

Scotalnd Twenty 20 Squad for worldcup : John Blain, Richie Berrington, Stuart Chalmers , Kyle Coetzer, Gordon Drummond,  Gordon Goudie, Gavin Hamilton , Majid Haq, Omer Hussain, Moneeb Iqbal, Dougie Lockhart, Ross Lyons, Neil McCallum, Callum MacLeod, Dewald Nel, Navdeep Poonia, Glenn Rogers, Qasim Sheikh, Craig Wright, Gregor Maiden, Matthew Parker, Colin Smith, Simon Smith, Jan Stander, Fraser Watts, Sean Weeraratna, Ryan Watson.

Australia Team - Squad for Twenty 20 World cup 2009

In the lead up to the first twenty20 world cup in 2007 , Australia was considered to be most favorite on the back of their third consecutive world cup triumph just few months back. Australian team featured a number of cricketers who were regular in test and ODI formats. All of them were star in terms of their international record, but the team suffered due to lack of twenty20 specialists.

it seems that Australian selectors have made the same mistake this time too as they have called a number of test regulars in Australia’s twenty20 world cup 2009 squad.

Players like Captain Ricky Ponting, stand-in captain Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, James Hopes, Brett Lee and Nathan Bracken are ODI specialists, while the players like Michael Hussey are test regular. Overall, the squad is very aged and does not feature many young players.

Australia Team - Squad for Twenty 20 World cup 2009

Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Nathan Bracken, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Peter Siddle, Andrew Symonds, David Warner, Shane Watson.

Twenty20 World Cup Schedule 2009

The twenty20 World Cup Schedule 2009, Teams and Groups has been announced for 2009 twenty20 world cup which will be played in England. In 2009 twenty20 world cup the total 27 number of matches will be played

2009 twenty20 world cup will be played from 5th of June to 21st June 2009. Opening game will be played between host England and the twenty20 world qualifier runners-up Ireland.

Total 12 teams India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Australia, South Africa, West Indies, New Zealand, England, Scotland, Ireland and Netherland will participate in 2009 twenty20 cup.

During meeting on 20th August 2008 Zimbabwe Cricket board confirmed that they will not take part in twenty20 World Cup 2009. That means Scotland which are placed 3rd during twenty20 world qualifier will now play the twenty20 world cup.

The ICC has also announced top two ranked teams in each group and given them a number 1 and 2 respectively. They will retain this number irrespective of whether they finish first or second in the group.

Groups - Teams 

Group A – India (A1), Bangladesh (A2) and Ireland

Group B – Pakistan (B1), England (B2) and Netherlands

Group C – Australia (C1), Sri Lanka (C2) and West Indies

Group D – New Zealand (D1), South Africa (D2) and Scotland

Super Eight Groups

Group E –A1, B2, C1 and D2

Group F – A2, B1, C2, and D1

Twenty20 world cup 2009 Schedule Group Stage

Timing	Teams	Venue
Fri 5 June 22:00	Group B - England v Netherlands	Lords
Sat 6 June 14:30	Group D - New Zealand v Scotland	Oval
Sat 6 June 18:00	Group C - Australia v West Indies	Oval
Sat 6 June 22:00	Group A - India v Bangladesh	Trent Bridge
Sun 7 June 18:00	Group D - South Africa v Scotland	Oval
Sun 7 June 22:00	Group B - England v Pakistan	Oval
Mon 8 June 18:00	Group A - Bangladesh v Ireland	Trent Bridge
Mon 8 June 22:00	Group C - Australia v Sri Lanka	Trent Bridge
Tue 9 June 18:00	Group B - Pakistan v Netherlands	Lords
Tue 9 June 22:00	Group D - New Zealand v South Africa	Lords
Wed 10 June 18:00	Group C - Sri Lanka v West Indies	Trent Bridge
Wed 10 June 22:00	Group A - India v Ireland	Trent Bridge

Super Eight Schedule of twenty20 world cup

Timing	Teams	Venue
Thu 11 June 18:00	Group F - D1 v A2	Trent Bridge
Thu 11 June 22:00	Group E - B2 v D2	Trent Bridge
Fri 12 June 18:00	Group F - B1 v C2	Lords
Fri 12 June 22:00	Group E – A1 v C1	Lords
Sat 13 June 18:00	Group E - C1 v D2	Oval
Sat 13 June 22:00	Group F – D1 v B1	Oval
Sun 14 June 18:00	Group F - A2 v C2	Lords
Sun 14 June 22:00	Group E – A1 v B2	Lords
Mon 15 June 18:00	Group E – B2 v C1	Oval
Mon 15 June 22:00	Group F – B1 v A2	Oval
Tue 16 June 18:00	Group F - D1 v C2	Trent Bridge
Tue 16 June 22:00	Group E – D2 v A1	Trent Bridge

Semi Final Schedule of twenty20 world cup 

Timing	Teams	Venue
Thu 18 June 22:00	E1 v F2	Trent Bridge
Fri 19 June 22:00	F1 v E2	Oval

Twnety20 World Cup 2009 Final