Associate nations need to get better in catching, game awareness

The ICC T20 World Cup is the best chance for the emerging teams to show how much progress they have made in the two years since the previous edition. Unlike the ODI World Cup, which occurs every four years, the T20 World Cup is a biennial affair and is one tournament where the Associate nations have a good chance of surprising the full member teams.

It hasn’t quite happened in this edition so far. Yes, Zimbabwe beat Australia, but they are not only a full member team, but also done it in the past in the ODI World Cup.

Nepal had a very good chance to beat England, but came up against Sam Curran, who is such an experienced performer in the T20 leagues around the world. The experienced all-rounder ensured England got through by the skin of their teeth by bowling an over full of superb yorkers.

The USA and the UAE have shown that they are the pick of the emerging countries and both these teams have benefitted immensely from their players featuring in their domestic T20 leagues, the MLC and the IL T20, where some of the best-known overseas stars also take part. Sharing the change room with these greats, seeing how they prepare and practice and also react on and off the field to changing game situations, is a great learning experience. The awe factor is nullified to a great extent, and they can play their natural game with greater confidence.

The one area where emerging teams need to get better is the catching, especially at game-changing moments. It’s here that they let themselves down and leave the door open to a more experienced team to get away.

If this is a technical aspect which can be improved by more and more practice, the other shortcoming is more of a temperament issue. The temptation to go for the glory shot often results in dismissals when smart batting would take them to a win. Today’s bats and shorter boundaries do make batters believe they can hit the maximums, but for lower-order players to attempt the six rather than give strike to the more accomplished and well-settled batter at the other end, has often allowed the fielding side to sneak through from a losing position.

That said, the emerging teams have been a breath of fresh air and their enthusiasm and liveliness have added to the fun and excitement.

(Professional Management Group)