Howzat! Ready for the T20 World Cup?
- March 9th, 2016
- Camilla Chapman
The ICC T20 World Cup is due to begin this week, with 16 nations battling it over 40 overs (in each game) to be crowned world champions. With the host nation India currently the number one Twenty20 team in the world, it's sure to be an exciting tournament, with plenty of big hittings and spectacular fielding!
The tournament is usually held every two years but the next tournament won't be until 2020, with Australia hosting. However there's tons to look forward to in the meantime, with reigning champions Sri Lanka looking to defend their crowd and newcomers Oman making their first ever appearance in a T20 World Cup.
The women's tournament also starts on the 15th of March, as 10 of the best international teams will go for the title of world champions, with Australia looking to defend their crown and continue to dominate in Twenty20, having won the trophy an incredible three times in a row! England will be also looking to get over their heartache of the past two tournaments, after losing on both occasions in the final to their bitter rivals.
Did you know that no team has won the men's T20 World Cup twice? Can you name the five nations who have won the title since the first tournament in 2007?
Scroll further down for answers - no peeking!
Twenty20 is the shortest form of Cricket, with each team batting for a maximum 20 overs or until they are bowled out by the opposition. It's all about the big hitting from the batsmen but the bowlers and wicketkeepers also both play a big part of succeeding this format - here's our top tips and drills on how to win a T20 game!
Big Batting
One big characteristic of Twenty20 cricket is the big hitting from the batsmen - and we mean big! The batters, particularly high up in the batting order, often go for fours or sixes, either when they're looking to build a big lead for the opposition to chase down or they're chasing a total themselves. Batters often go hard in the first six overs of T20, whereas in 50-overs cricket, they are a lot more cautious and look to protect their wicket.
Use of Feet Lofted Checked Drive
This shot is key to be able to clear the fielders - and the boundary - when you're going to blast it for six! Focus on your footwork, giving yourself time and space to set yourself up for the perfect lofted shot.
Smart Bowling
The key to succeeding as a bowler in T20 Cricket is to variate with your bowling, rather than being predictable with their play in other formats of the game. By mixing up their length, line, pitch and speed combined, this will throw off the opposition. If you also bowl a number of dot balls, this can frustrate the batsmen, who may potentially look to play bad or high risk shots!
Hitting a Target
Get your players working on their pitch and length with this target drill! With the help of their team-mates, work with the bowlers to determine whether these two areas of the ball are good. Change up the drill by setting your players different targets of length and pitch, helping them get the variation needed for Twenty20 cricket!
Working the Keeper
Wicketkeepers have to be top of their game in Twenty20 Cricket, ready to pounce on any opportunities to catch or run the batsmen out. Focus is even more vital in T20, as it is a fast-paced game, so the wicketkeeper must be ready at all times with quick reactions. The keeper can also provide information to their skipper about the lines bowled and the pace of the pitch, helping with fielding positions.
Reflex Catching
Work your wicketkeepers' reflexes and reactions with this drill, focusing on their technique as well as making sure they are fully focused on the game. Provide variation to progress your keeper and encourage them to move out of their comfort zones - get your keeper catching the opposition out!
To keep up to date and follow your favourite team at this year's T20 World Cup, be sure to take a look at the official ICC website!
Answers to past winners question: India, Pakistan, England, West Indies and Sri Lanka
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