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Crunch time


Given that I got only 50% of my semi-finalists right, I'm not going to stick my neck out too much for the last three matches. I will be surprised though if there are no upsets and South Africa go on to face Sri Lanka in the final. Should be great games to watch though and it would be wonderful for their nations if either Pakistan or the West Indies could go through and win two games and lift the trophy. Tough ask though so we'll wait and see.

I also have to withdraw my earlier statement around no young stars emerging from the contests. Wayne Parnell, Saeed Ajmal, and Lendl Simmons have all shown that they have the calibre to become top international cricketers, and its heartening to note that two of these guys are bowlers in a format that is supposed to favour the batsmen. I honestly think it puts a lot more pressure on batsmen than bowlers since they are expected to indulge in big hitting and put up tall scores. This format will also I'm sure lead to new metrics such as dot balls faced and dot balls bowled (as % of total).

Less than two hours to go for the first semi!

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