Only half of the teams that started the T20 World Cup remain as the Super 8s stage of the competition gets underway. James Richardson previews the first four matches.
The Super 8s phase is here with two groups of four battling to finish in the top two and advance to the semi-finals.
No points are carried over from the group phase so every team starts with the playing field level.
Wednesday 19 June
USA 46/10 | Tie 25/1 | South Africa 2/13 (16:30)
Hosts USA are still riding high from their historic progression to this phase of a T20 World Cup but they will need to be prepared for a step up in quality.
The USA might feel that South Africa provide them with a good shot at pulling off an upset win.
The Proteas haven’t got the balance right when it comes to batting and have been a little too defensive for the format while leaving the finishers too much to do.
This ground isn’t quite a batters paradise and scores over 150 will be tough to chase down.
Verdict: South Africa 2/13
They’ve been streaky, but you’d expect the Proteas to get the better of the USA.
Thursday 20 June
West Indies 92/100 | Tie 25/1 | England 92/100 (02:30)
The unbeaten hosts West Indies take on an England team that are yet to really fire in this tournament.
England will not want to start in a compromised position again after a nervous initial group phase brought on by a washout and loss to Australia.
Nicholas Pooran hit spectacular form last time out and the West Indies are back in St Lucia.
The hosts carry all the confidence in the world while England need to get their top-order firing.
Verdict: West Indies 92/100
The bookies can’t split them. But on the balance of tournament performances thus far, and with a home crowd behind them, you simply must back the Windies here.
Afghanistan 7/2 | Tie 25/1 | India 21/100 (16:30)
Afghanistan came unstuck against the West Indies last time out and need to bounce back quickly or find themselves chasing the game in the Super 8s.
The semi-finals are enticingly close for Afghanistan and a good start to the Super 8s will be key.
Afghanistan have form batters in their side in the form of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran and are the only team to have two batters break the 150-run barrier so far.
India haven’t needed to get bags of runs and have bowled well on tricky surfaces so far with Hardik Pandya being the standout with the ball.
Verdict: India 21/100
This could be closer than the betting suggests, but India should emerge victorious.
Friday 21 June
Australia 2/13 | Tie 25/1 | Bangaldesh 46/10 (02:30)
Australia eased into the Super 8s against arguably the weakest of the eight sides in Bangladesh.
Travis Head and David Warner have looked like they are close to clicking and could explode against the Tigers.
Bangladesh’s attack has been led by the surprise package Tanzim Hasan Sakib but will probably need more from their spinners in Antigua.
Marcus Stoinis has done the business for Australia with bat and ball, playing key roles in both areas.
Verdict: Australia 2/13
Bangladesh have looked undercooked so far and could be in for a tough time against a top-class Aussie outfit.
