The T20 match between England and South Africa was a thriller. The whole series was amazing to watch. The pitch was flat and it was one of the best games we have watched this year. Clearly England are one of the top teams in the world and certainly one of the most entertaining. It seems to me that playing against England helps opposition teams become better and raise their game. The standard of cricket that England are playing at the moment is helping the opposition get a feel for their own potential.
South Africa have also performed well. Quinton De Kock has come across as a mature leader and he plays better when he has added responsibility. The manner in which he played gave his side much needed confidence.
Faf du Plessis becoming available for all formats of the game will just make South Africa stronger. I don't hold much hope, but to see AB de Villiers playing in the T20 World Cup matches would be the icing on the cake. They have got Dale Steyn back which provides experience in the bowling department. From a fans' perspective it will provide great entertainment.
On a flat pitch in the third T20 all the English batsmen struck form, and being a fan of Jos Butler it was good to see him perform. For England to win the T20 World Cup they will need Jos Butler, Adil Rashid, Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes and Eoin Morgan to be in top form. The reason I haven’t picked fast bowlers is because it is easier for batsmen to hit the ball for a six when there is pace on the ball than hit it when the spinners are bowling. The key player for England will be Adil Rashid because Eoin Morgan always looks to him to take a wicket in the key moments of the match.
Finally, the Test series against New Zealand gives India an opportunity to extend their lead on the Test Championships table and see if they can win away from home. Jusprit Bumrah coming back to form in the warm up games must have been a relief for the Indian selectors especially because he wasn’t able to take a wicket in the One Dayers. For me the important aspect will be how Indian batsmen perform in seaming conditions.
If India want to play like the number one team in the world they need to win Test series. All the great teams like the West Indies in the 1980s and Australia in 2000 were dominant both at home and away. India have the opportunity to do the same because they finally have the seamers and fast bowlers to take 20 wickets in a Test match. But do they have the batting to bat long periods of time and against the new ball? They will be put to the test by an ever resilient New Zealand.