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Most of us expected South Africa and New Zealand to win their encounters yesterday. But the manner of their victories was most surprising; especially South Africa. England had put up a spirited performance against Pakistan and their form seemed on ascendency especially after it hit the Marina’s trench against the Dutch. But against the Proteas it reached more realistic levels. In the recent past, England has beaten consistently their abject opponent – read West Indies – not always because they have been a better team but because of their opponent has been below par. Also so much had the two teams seen of each other in recent months, thanks to the great FTP program of the ICC, England knew too much of the weaknesses of West Indies to not defeat them.  So against seasoned campaigners like South Africa, the Englishmen came undone.

Kallis had redeemed himself at IPL 2 and had rightfully laid claim to a place in national T20 squad. His revamped game had been a delight and his performances consistent. Yet yesterday, we got to see the man of yore playing like a drafter, a method which is first nature to him. And nobody could have complained. For the target was only 111.

South Africa after the exodus of talent post the 2003 World Cup, is suddenly brimming with it. Van Der Merwe, Johan Botha, Wayne Parnell and JP Duminy have since their inception in the team delivered with amazing regularity. Yesterday again Parnell was miserly and penetrative and the spinners supported his effort.  What bemuses me most is that for a team which struggled to play decently all forms of spin bowling, suddenly has a very potent spin attach, besides the young fast bowlers who have also come good. The team looks the strongest to take the title but only if they can shed the one title they hold, of chokers.

Broad's pointing action – where he in between the run up appears to gesture at something as if to suggest that he will halt but still continues to bowl - I am not sure if it is legal but it is certainly distracting the South African skipper. Smith should understand as long as his team doesn’t lose because of it, Broad and England who probably have very few other ways of upsetting their opposition teams’ applecart will only look stupid doing it.

Ireland - without sounding condescending - I feel were probably lucky that they were in an easier group in the first stage, but their real learning will be now. New Zealand in clinical fashion gave them their first important lesson yesterday. With only enough fit players left to make a cricket team, New Zealand had to make sure that each player delivered. Black caps have never had super-stars ever in their team and more often they have relied on their combined strength than individual brilliance. And that is why for most tournaments they play they have always been the dark horses for there are no two players or three in the team that the opposition can pin down.

At Taunton, Redmond, Styris and Gutpill delivered with the bat and then the fielders ran four Irish batsmen out. Ireland’s only semblance of a partnership came for the third wicket between Wilson and Botha but otherwise they lost wickets with alarming consistency.

England who find themselves in a tough group and Ireland who by virtue of being the weakest opponent in their group finds itself in a similar situation, will find it very tough now to make it to the knockout stage.