Group B is summed up as two big teams and three minnows.
Their T20 world rankings are as follows:
| Nation | Rank | Previous Tournament |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | 2 | Super12 |
| England | 3 | Winners |
| Scotland | 13 | Group |
| Namibia | 14 | Group |
| Oman | 18 | Qualifiers |
Australia failed to make the final stages of the previous tournament despite home advantage. They will hope to do better here. Several players have recently finished playing in the IPL including top striker of 4's in the tournement, Travis Head.
England have had their final preparation games against Pakistan washed out by English spring rains, and will hope Scotland are unable to take advantage when they meet in their first tournament game on June 4th.
In reality, there is little scope for an upset in this group and the top two teams should ease through their last two games after having played the group decider bertween themselves on June 8th.
For the other three, it will be interesting to watch. All three had qualifying campaigns where they remained undefeated.
The matches take place in Barbados and Antigua, apart from Australia v Scotland on June 15 which is in St Lucia.
If we assume early summer Carribaean heat then Australia, Oman, and Namibia should be well positioned to cope, England should have the experience, and Scotland can be thankful it's only T20.
A major storm is unlikely, and any rain would be expected to blow through swiftly enough to not curtail a match. Of course, either could happen and if it does then affected teams may find themselves fighting for points and net run rates.
Still, I expect the group to finish:
England
Australia
Namibia
Scotland
Oman
though switching the top two, and any other variation of the bottom three, would be as valid a guess.
Hopefully the crowds will be big and noisy, full of West Indies verve.
text by stuartcturnbull. graphic by Mir Rammez Raja & edited by stuartcturnbull via postermywall