Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
One swallow does not a summer make – although a number of ducks might with the earliest start in the history of English cricket likely to favour the bowlers.
At the announcement of the earliest start in history, the seamers at the Riverside and Trent Bridge in particular would have been salivating at the prospect of greener wickets than normal. However, given the current hosepipe ban in force it may be the overseas spinners that are eagerly anticipating the first balls being bowled tomorrow.
Ironically, it is due to the influence of Indian cricket that the season has been moved forward in order to allow the winners of the English T20 to compete in the Champions Trophy T20 in September.
Yet while the English counties will be rushing through their seasons, some will start their campaigns shorthanded – again as a result of the money on offer in Asia – the fifth running of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
There could not be a greater contrast between the historical and quaint English grounds and the swarming and passionate crowds that will greet the glitz and glamour associated with the IPL.
Fascinating tussles abound in the IPL, not least with the opener when the defending ‘World Champions’, Sachin Tendulkar’s Mumbai Indians, meet the current IPL title holding Super Kings at their home in Chennai.
The leadership skills of Mahendra Dhoni will be tested as the most consistent performers in the IPL aim to become the first side to claim the title for the third successive season. Captain Courageous will rely heavily on his overseas all-rounders, Mike Hussey, Dwayne Bravo and Albie Morkel.
However, fresh from securing his long-awaited century of centuries, Tendulkar will rouse a crowd keen to inspire last season’s most devastating bowling attack, containing the irrepressible Lasith Malinga and Munaf Patel with Mitchell Johnson waiting in the wings.
Another team that has always been ‘in the mix’ is the Royal Challengers Bangalore who have been beaten finalists in two of the four finals played.
This consistency is no surprise when you consider the experience brought by captain Daniel Vettori who can counsel Leicestershire’s winning import, Australian Andrew MacDonald. Chris Gayle, last season’s leading IPL batsman will hope to turn the Challengers into champions. Alongside Dilshan they form probably the most feared opening partnership combining brutal power with guile and invention.
The Challengers will hope that Zaheer Khan and Dirk Nannes can form an equally devastating partnership when they take the field.
I consider these three teams to have the most balanced line-ups, although plenty of batting power exists elsewhere. The Delhi Daredevils boast a fearsome line-up including Sehwag, Pathan, Warner, and Taylor although they will be hoping to improve on finishing last in the previous edition of the IPL.
Former champions, the Deccan Chargers are led by Sangakkara who is followed by Christian, White and Duminy. The Chargers also can rely on Dale Steyn opening the bowling.
However, in cricket in general and T20 specifically, a single exemplary performance can turn a match. Another team to have lifted the trophy, the Rajasthan Royals, can count on Shane Watson while Pune have Parnell and Ryder. My favourites to at least make the semi-finals are Mumbai and Bangalore.
