Sri Lanka.

The injury blow of losing Flintoff for this comp really did hit us hrad in the long run. Even a Flintoff scratching round for batting form could hit you a quick 25-30 runs in half the balls coming in down the order at 5,6 or 7.

I'd have also like to have seen Matt Prior used as a specialist batsman as he can hit boundaries and i'd have liked to have seen Napier get some games.

I think if we were playing a game tomorrow i'd like to see us go-

Bopara
Wright
Pietersen
Shah
Prior
Flintoff
Napier/Mashcaranas
Foster
Swann
Broad
Anderson/Sidebottam

We need some extra firepower in the batting order if were ever to achieve in this format.

Broad showed he could be the big hitter but he was never given a chance to bat higher up.

Good call on both accounts



Although Sri Lanka look good

At least Englands women are showing the men how to do it.Not lost a game so far and they play the Aussies in the semi final.

Sri Lanka will win it imo.

I just can't see anybody(not even South Africa) getting a big score against their attack and i think they'll be able to knock off the scores posted against them.

TBH i cant see either team hitting runs against either attack i think SA win cause they will save an extra 20 runs in the field. Will be a awesome final though 2 very good 20/20 teams. For me SL need another top class batter to be best in the world by far they rely on Jayarwadne,Jayasuryia and Sangakarra and non of the 3 are consitent enough in this format but tbf no1 really is but SA have the drpth too about 9 in the batting lineuup

agree with much of that, Sri Lanka are past the peak of their powers for me - SA are a phenomenal unit all round so many potential match winners and freaks in the field

look at them todfay leave out kallis and still beat india. Defending modest total too you dont understand how good fielding can save you 20-30 runs thats were SL will struggle IMO

They've got Dilshan aswell mate who's probably the form T20 cricketer in the world at the minute.

You just never know though do you which makes it so exciting.

I can't wait for the semi's even if England aren't in them(maybe especially because England aren't in them).

thats true mate i missed him off but hes the type of batter who comes off or doesnt and more often than not he doesnt come off. I dont think the Sri Lankens will handle the pace of Steyn and Parnell it will be a awesome final tho. They are going to have their work cut out against the Windies though first Edwards will trouble them alot with the pace and bounce would like to seee SA kick on a bit at the start they seem to be a bit too slow in comparison to SL who have dilshan and jayasuryia must be the most destructive opening partnership in the world on thier day. This is why i love 20;20 the excitment it brings only time test cricket does is The Ashes

Dilshan is the top run scorer in the competition!!

I think Mendis, Murali, Malinga and co can keep it tight enough for Sri Lanka's batsman to win the game.

If they both win their semi of course......

I see SA beating SL in the final, both have great sides but I feel SA just have the mental edge to grind out the win.

I can't help but look at South Africa and think back to both the NZ and India games when they've started the innings well only for it to fall away but both times they've still managed to defend the scores on the board.

I'm not sure they'll be able to do that against SL.

Saying that both have got tough games to get through first and against sides that have a real gamebreaker apiece in Umar Gul and Chris Gayle. Both of those could scupper either side on their own if they fire.

Surprisingly good performance from Pakistan to knock SA out and make the final, Afridi superb with bat and ball.

Expect them to be bowled out for 60 or so in the final and take a right hammering now!

I saw more enthusiasm in five minutes from that Pakistan team than i did in the whole series for England. It's called [ipassion[/i England. Get some before the Aussies whitewash you again.

very good win Pakistan credit due you turned it on today wioll be intresting tommorow wacth WI go and knock SL out after we have bigged up both SA and SL lol

South Africa fail in yet another Semi Final.

They really are chokers!!

To be fair, it is a pointless, tinpot trophy taking place before the biggest event in cricket, nay the biggest sporting event of the year. I'd struggle to show any passion and enthusiasm for it as well. Hell, I've not even been bothered about watching the damned thing.

Save the complaining until we fail miserably in something meaningful.

If you're a professional sportsman you should be at the top of your game in every tournament. That is, unless you think you're too good. That's the problem with the Englnd set up. They all think they're too good. If that's their attitude then they don't deserve the fans that go and watch them - even in 20/20.

I don't think England showed any lack of passion at all, far from it at times watching Broad and Sidebottom.

What they did show was a massive lack of a batting game plan throughout the tournament which did for them in the end...and with Pakistan managing to get to the Final it just goes to show that if we'd have performed with the bat then it really was wide open for us.

I think it might be more that the supporters, people like yourself, build them up to be better than they are.

As OrdsallRed has said, the lack of a batting plan was the main downfall. Is that down to a lack of passion or the players apparently thinking they're too good? Is it balls. It's down to the fact that we struggled with the bat, nothing more.

I just can't understand why people are willing to spit dummies out already. Our performance in Twenty20 is no indicator on how well we'll do in Test Matches, they're two different animals.

And at least we WON a couple of our 20/20's...unlike a certain Antipodean side...I bet they aren't crying down there and lamenting a certain loss of the Ashes....yet!!!

Aye.

Although, I'm not sure if I can cope with a summer of Shane Warne in the commentary box.