T20 World Cup Super 8s cricket tips and predictions – Copybet
Just eight teams remain in the battle for T20 World Cup glory as the tournament prepares for the start of the Super 8s stage.
The top two sides from Groups 1 and 2 will progress to the semi-finals before the winners of those last-four clashes face off in the final at Narendra Modi Stadium in Colombo.
Sri Lanka vs England
England face co-hosts Sri Lanka in the opening match of Group 2 on Sunday and this could be a close battle between two nations who competed in a three-match series prior to the T20 World Cup.
Harry Brook’s side whitewashed Sri Lanka in that series and it’s notable that all of those encounters took place at Pallekele Cricket Stadium in Kandy, the venue for this Super 8s clash.
One player who impressed during the series was Tom Banton, who top-scored in the second T20 with an unbeaten 54 after making 29 in the opener.
The 27-year-old has already played a crucial innings at the T20 World Cup, scoring a team-leading 63 not out to help England edge past Scotland, while his score of 30 against Italy was only bettered by Will Jacks.
If openers Phil Salt and Jos Buttler fail again, Banton is in good enough form to help steady the ship and put in another solid showing with the bat.
India vs South Africa
Four wins from four has only strengthened India’s claims of becoming the first team to successfully defend the T20 World Cup, but they face a stern test of their credentials when taking on South Africa, who were also perfect in the group stage.
Starring for India at the top of the order has been Ishan Kishan, who is fifth in the tournament’s run charts with 176 from four innings.
The 27-year-old has made two fifties, against Namibia and Pakistan, while he has scored the joint-most sixes with 11 to his name.
South Africa’s bowlers have performed well, but they could be in for a rough ride against Kishan and the India ace can notch his third half-century of the T20 World Cup.
Zimbabwe vs West Indies
Zimbabwe have been the surprise package of the tournament, as they collected seven points from four games to top Group B, beating both Australia and co-hosts Sri Lanka along the way.
The Chevrons next face the West Indies, who won all four Group C matches and have not needed to get out of second gear yet.
It will be a tougher challenge for the Windies in Monday’s contest at the Wankhede Stadium, especially as they go up against a bowling unit which has been very impressive.
One of the key players for Zimbabwe has been seamer Brad Evans, who has returned figures of 3-18 against Oman, 3-23 against Australia and 2-35 against Sri Lanka in his three completed matches so far.
The 28-year-old, who is just one wicket behind Blessing Muzarabani in Zimbabwe’s wicket-taking stats at this tournament, is in a confident mood and he can trouble this West Indies side.