The 2014 T20 World Cup semi-finals start tomorrow afternoon, after an amazing Super 10 stage that had numerous matches that went down to the final over.
The holders West Indies progressed after beating Pakistan on Tuesday and they were joined in the last four by their group winners India.
From Group 1, Sri Lanka successfully defended 120 to edge out New Zealand, whilst South Africa won three games in a row to qualify in second.
Sri Lanka vs. West Indies
Sri Lanka are narrow favourites to make the final against the West Indies.
The pair met in the 2012 final, with West Indies pulling off an incredible victory, defending 138, bowling Sri Lanka out for just 101.
West Indies’s middle order has bailed them out on more than one occasion, with Dwayne Bravo and Darren Sammy’s finish hitting in particular incredible.
The pair hit six sixes between them in a partnership of 72 against Pakistan at a strike rate of over 200 to turn an average innings into a brilliant one.
Krishmar Santokie, Samuel Badree and Sunil Narine have been excellent with the ball, especially in the must win game on Tuesday, with the trio claiming 8-35 between them.
After winning their first two matches, progression into the last four seemed inevitable for Sri Lanka.
Defeat to England meant they had to beat New Zealand, which they did thanks to the superb form of Rangana Herath.
Herath hadn’t been selected in the tournament prior to the game with the Kiwi’s, however his incredible record of 5-3, helped Sri Lanka defend just 120.
It’s hard to call this match, especially as you never know what West Indies side will show up.
Given the reliance of the West Indies’ middle order, I’m going to side with Sri Lanka, however I can’t see it behing an easy match for either.
Sri Lanka – 4/5 with Bet 365
India vs. South Africa
India go into their semi-final with South Africa as the only side to have an 100% record after four wins from four in the Super 10.
Four brilliant bowling displays, have seen India need to chase less than 140 on three occasions, before bowling the Aussies out for less than 100 in their final group game.
If anything their progression from Group Two was too comfortable, with numerous batsmen not having long enough in the middle to find form.
As for South Africa, they bounced back brilliantly from losing their first match with Sri Lanka to make the last four.
Tense wins over New Zealand and England were the main reason behind their semi-final birth, however they will have to be at their best to beat India.
It’s hard to look past India winning here, especially given how well they’ve bowled this tournament.
Only Dale Steyn and Imran Tahir have really bowled consistently well for South Africa in the tournament and they will need to go at less than seven an over to really give them a chance.
India – 8/13 with Bet 365
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