Early momentum needed to win ICC WT20: John Wright

Former New Zealand cricketer and former India coach, John Wright, said said that teams need to bring in momentum early on in the game to win the ICC World Twenty20 2010.

"You know, one of the exciting things about the ICC World Twenty20 2010 is that there is an air of unpredictability about it. To win it, the teams have to bring in momentum early and that would be important," Wright said.

"There is a little time between the IPL and starting of the tournament. So, I think the first two-three games for each side will be really critical because you have to get momentum going early in the tournament," he added.

Wright added it would be tough for India, as they go directly into the WT20 tourney without playing a practice game and the other teams may have advantage on this account.

The 2010 edition of the ICC World Twenty20 will take place in the West Indies from 30 April ? 16 May 2010.

The tournament consists of 12 teams, divided into four groups, consisting of all Test-playing nations and two qualifiers, Afghanistan and Ireland.

India has been placed in Group C alongside South Africa and Afghanistan.

Wright further said that the Indians have attained the number one spot in Test cricket because of their quality bowlers as well as opening batsmen.

"One of the reasons why India has been successful is that the fast bowlers have performed really well and you have the opening batsmen performing well, specifically in Test match cricket. That is an area of the game which has actually allowed the team to get to the number one spot," Wright said.

Wright interacted with students during a school-level cricket tournament in national capital New Delhi as a part of John Wright Scholarship initiative.

New Zealand's Southland Cricket Association is looking forward to signing some quality Indian players with the help of this scholarship, which has been initiated in India by the Southern Institute of Technology.