The Burning Questions: Group A First Round - T20 World Cup

Every Group A team’s burning question ahead of the First Round in Geelong.

Every predicted line-up for the T20 World Cup teams

Namibia: Blessed with depth, but what’s the best XI?

All 15 members of the squad could well find their name on a team sheet at the event in what is a rare luxury for Associate teams in T20 World Cups in times gone past.

The Eagles need to solve the puzzle at the top of the order this time around, with Stephen Baard, Divan la Cock, Michael van Lingen and even Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton all in the conversation to open the batting.

On the bowling side, the side have a dearth of left-arm options, though it remains to be seen if they select Ben Shikongo as a point of difference as a right-arm quick.

With versatility coming from a number of all-rounders in the side, Namibia could well only need Shikongo to bowl an over or two in their effort.

In the keeping role, Namibia may favour Lohan Louwrens over Zane Green if they need to bolster the batting.

Netherlands: A new captain, but with what local knowledge?

While Geelong turns out in Melbourne club cricket, a competition Scott Edwards has extensive experience, the local side don’t play on the Kardinia Park surface. In saying that, Edwards should have contacts with extensive knowledge of the ground.

The Dutch will look for any advantage in Australia, and their first-up match against UAE is potentially tournament defining - with a loss making qualification for the Super 12s a near impossible task.

Edwards has taken over from Pieter Seelaar, who led the team in last year’s campaign and retired earlier in 2022.

Sri Lanka: How much did the team learn from 2021?

Sri Lanka would have been encouraged by last year’s effort with a young crop, though expectations have grown, and a semi-final spot would probably be the minimum goal.

Dasun Shanaka’s side were a revelation in UAE, with the likes of Charith Asalanka and Pathum Nissanka blooming with the bat, backing a bowling effort led by world-class all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga.

While the side haven’t played an official T20I since their Asia Cup win, the side are confident of a strong First Round performance, and building into hopefully a longer campaign with tough matches under their belt.

Sri Lanka do have history in Geelong, though only in the form of one T20I against Australia back in 2017. Kusal Mendis was the only squad member in the team.

United Arab Emirates: Can they find the right blend straight up?

After key changes in leadership and a rotation of players, UAE have been in a race against time to prepare for their campaign, and their match against the Dutch is D-Day.

Among CP Rizwan’s questions of introspection will be how to set the batting order after a number of shuffles in recent weeks, and finding the ideal spot for starlet Vriitya Aravind.

Rizwan will also need to work out where his batting fits best, and where to slide the likes of Basil Hameed and the group of other young players in the squad.

Eager to unleash leg-spinning sensation Karthik Meiyappan, how he fits in regards to the dimensions of Kardinia Park will be a key Rizwan responsibility.