IT'S GOING to be cricket's version of high stakes poker when the Stanford Allstars take on England next Saturday in Antigua for a winner-take-all payday of US$20 million.

All the chips have been cast into the middle of the table and one team will leave the stage full of instant millionaires while the other will be left to curse its luck.

That's the nature of poker and, for better or worse, 20/20 cricket where one outstanding performance can decide a match.

In Tests there's five days of fluctuating fortunes where stellar performances do not necessarily guarantee victory.

In the one-day game, the margin for error is smaller, but there's still ample time for teams to recover and regroup.

In the shortest version of the game, one withering spell of bowling or one whirlwind innings from a hot bat can decide a game.

It's as compelling as it is random.

Twenty/20 is a game designed for maverick talent and England and the Stanford Allstars will have more than their share on display when they take the field on Antigua's national day.

Simply starting at the top, there are no more exciting batsmen in world cricket than the teams' skippers, Chris Gayle and Kevin Pietersen.

The Allstars' Gayle is one of the most brutal opening bats in the game and boasts the only international 20/20 century - made against South Africa last year at the 20/20 World Championship.

Newly-crowned England captain Pietersen is one of the game's great improvisers who seemingly makes up strokes as he goes along.

In a batsman-friendly game, Gayle and Pietersen will have plenty of willing allies at the crease.

While the precocious talents of axed Xavier Marshall and banned Marlon Samuels will be missing from the Allstars' top order, there's still plenty of talent to call on in Test mainstays Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul plus in-form Sylvester Joseph and possibly young allrounder Kieron Pollard and/or Darren Sammy.

England counter with versatile Ian Bell and hard-hitting 'keeper Matt Prior, the consistent Paul Collingwood, young allrounder Luke Wright and the enigmatic Andrew Flintoff.

Bowlers are, generally, on a hiding to nothing in this abbreviated form of the game and can appear to be little more than glorified bowling machines when the batsmen cut loose at small grounds. However, wickets are wickets and they can quickly change momentum and retard scoring rates.

Emerging star Jerome Taylor will spearhead the Allstars' attack and his four overs against the England top order could go a long way towards deciding the match. Jamaican teammate Daren Powell could be his new-ball partner while Trinidad left-arm spinner Dave Mohammed, who performed superbly in the regional Stanford 20/20 series and routed Jamaica in the final, would be an intriguing, if risky, selection.

Injured Dwayne Bravo, an automatic selection, will be sorely missed for his all-round talents and energy.

England have carried their Test attack into the Stanford 20/20 for 20 squad with left-arm swing bowler Ryan Sidebottom and quicks Steve Harmison, James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Flintoff battling it out for possibly four berths.

Of course, the joker in the deck is the record prizemoney - the greatest stakes for any one-off team event - and how it will affect the players.

Playing for a cool US$1 million or bust must creep into the combatants' psyches - even if they say it's 'just another game' before the showdown.

We'll see on Saturday, let the cards fall where they may.

SARWAN AND TAYLOR

CHRIS GAYLE

Country: Jamaica

Age: 28; HB, ROB

Considered one of the most dangerous batsmen in world cricket, Gayle, if he gets going, can easily swing any game in his team's favour.

Gayle's pugnacious approach has become an attacking weapon in its own right. His 79-ball century at Cape Town in January 2004, on the back of a South African first innings of 532, was typical of his no-holds barred approach.

The left-hander's $800,000 price tag made him one of Kolkata's most expensive players in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and highlighted his ability to tear bowlers apart in the 20/20 form of the game. He is also a useful offspinner.

He remains the only batsman to score a century in a Twenty20 international - against South Africa in the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 last year.

LIONEL BAKER

Country: Montserrat

Age: 24; RF

Baker, a former West Indies pacer, is best remembered for sending Brian Lara into earlier retirement. Lara who had retired from international cricket, returned to play for Trinidad but suffered a fractured hand caused by a Baker bouncer.

SULIEMAN BENN

Country: Barbados

Age: 27; SLAA tall left-arm spinner and a useful lower-order batsman, Benn had impressed opening the bowling for Barbados in the Stanford 20/20 in Feburary. He went on to make the West Indies team later in the year.

SHIVNARINE CHANDERPAUL

Country: Guyana

Age: 34; LHB

In cricket terms, Chanderpaul has been referred to as the saviour of the West Indies team in all forms of the game. Chanderpaul, who was just named Cricket of the Year, will be a key man against England.

LENNOX CUSH

Country: Guyana

Age: 33; RHB, ROB

A genuine allrounder. An offspinner with first-class hundreds to his name. If given the chance to play, should have a lot to contribute.

TRAVIS DOWLIN

Country: Guyana

Age: 31, RHB, ROB

A seasoned campaigner for Guyana over the years, Dowlin, one of the older members of the squad, should still have a lot to offer.

RAYAD EMRIT

Country: Trinidad & Tobago

Age: 27; RHB; RM

Emrit, a steady medium pacer and a capable lower-order batsman, could be a key man in the Superstar team if given a spot in the final XI.

ANDRE FLETCHER

Country: Grenada

Age: 20; RHB; WK, RMF

A former West Indies Under-19s player, Fletcher, who kept wicket for Grenada in the Stanford 20/20 and opened the batting, is best remembered for his 45-ball 70 against Anguilla earlier this year. He later earned a call-up for the limited-overs games against Australia.

CHAD HAMPSON

Country: Antigua and Barbuda

Age: 20, RHB, RM

Hampson, the least experienced of the squad, has only played one Twenty20 contest - against Guyana in which he took three wickets for 23 runs and made seven. If given the chance to play, he would want to surprise with a good performance.

LYNDON JAMES

Country: St Vincent and the Grenadines

Age: 23; RHB; WK

James, chosen as wicketkeeper ahead of West Indies' Carlton Baugh and Denesh Ramdin, has his work cut out for him. He has a top score of 74, not out, at this form of the game, an innings - many believe, gave him the edge.

SYLVESTER JOSEPH

Country: Antigua and Barbuda

Age: 30; RHB; ROB

Has played a handful of one-day internationals with limited success but his 20/20 performance for Antigua and Barbuda was impressive. In two recent practice matches, Joseph was the top batsman.

KIERON POLLARD

Country: Trinidad & Tobago

Age: 21; RHB; RM

A RIGHT-HANDED allrounder, bats in the middle order and bowls useful medium-pace. He was a member of West Indies World Cup team, but is regionally remembered for his 83 for Trinidad and Tobago in the Stanford 20/20 in August 2006.

DAVE MOHAMMED

Country: Trinidad & Tobago

Age: 28; LHB, SLA

Seen as a real lover of the game, the left-arm spinner had a fun Stanford 20/20 tournament as he helped Trinidad & Tobago to title honours. His left-arm slow bowling proved too difficult for many, including star-studded Jamaica in the final.

DAREN POWELL

Country: Jamaica

Age: 30; RF

A stedy fast medium bowler, Powell will have his work cut out for him. He was not at his best for Jamaica at the regional tournament earlier this year but can, on any given day, win a match at any level.

DARREN SAMMY

Country: St. Lucia

Age: 24; RHB, RM

Replaced the injured Dwayne Bravo in the squad and is a useful all-rounder and could create problems with either bat or ball. He has done that a few times for the West Indies.

RAMNARESH SARWAN

Country: Guyana

Age: 28, RHB; LB

Sarwan is one of the region's most consistent batsmen. He can change a game and his ability to assess a game is unquestionable.

JEROME TAYLOR

Country: Jamaica

Age: 24; RF

Remembered for his hat-trick against Australia in the Champions Trophy, Taylor, who is considered as the best in the region of getting the ball to lift off a good length, should be the lead pacer in the side.

ENGLAND

ANDERSON AND FLINTOFF

PIETERSEN AND BELL

KEVIN PIETERSEN

County: Hampshire

Age: 28; RHB, OB

England's newly-appointed skipper is arguably the most exciting batsman going around in any form of the game.

The South Africa-born righthander's maverick approach to the art of batting has changed the game. Not only does he reverse sweep for six and pull and drive balls well outside off stump through the leg side, but he now can also switch hit - which means he changes his stance from right to left as the bowler approaches.

He appears to be pretty adept as a 'lefty' as he straight drove a bemused Scott Styris for six that way during a ODI game against the Kiwis earlier this year.

His improvisational approach at the crease belies a great eye and solid technique, which makes him England's No. 1 batsman and the prize wicket of the order.

'KP' scores at a remarkable clip - his 363 runs in 14 international 20/20s have come at a lofty strike rate of 148.77.

Thrust into the captaincy of the England side due to the abrupt retirement of Michael Vaughn this year, Pietersen has taken to the task with relish and appears to be an adventurous and proactive skipper - a little like his former Hampshire skipper, Shane Warne.

Most importantly, he appears to have the full backing of the side.

The skipper is also a handy off-break bowler.

JAMES ANDERSON

County: Lancashire

Age:26; RFM

Quick swing bowler who has been plagued by injuries and inconsistency during an international career which started in 2002. Is a genuine wicket taker when on song. Has claimed 11 scalps in 10 20/20 internationals.

IAN BELL

County: Warwickshire

Age: 26; RHB

Technically-correct top-order batsman who accumulates runs but can up the pace when required. Has a strike rate of more than 100 in 20/20s. Could open and anchor the England side.

RAVI BOPARA

County: Essex

Age: 23; RHB, RM

Promising, bustling allrounder, who has been fast tracked into the England set-up. Yet to establish himself in the side in any form of the game but age is on his side.

STUART BROAD

County: Nottinghamshire

Age: 22; LHB, RFM

The son of former England opener Chris is an emerging star in the England line-up. Generates good pace and bounce when bowling and is bordering on all-rounder status thanks, to his dangerous lower-order batting.

PAUL COLLINGWOOD

County: Durham

Age: 32; RHB, RM

A cricketer's cricketer. A reliable, if not brilliant, performer with both bat and ball and a good fieldsman. Has made 330 runs (SR 140.42) and claimed 13 wickets in his 14 international 20/20 games.

ALASTAIR COOK

County: Essex

Age: 23; LHB

The golden-haired boy of English cricket. A classy lefthanded opener who appears destined to captain the side in the not too distant future. Better suited to longer forms of the game and may find it hard to make this 20/20 team's final XI.

ANDREW FLINTOFF

County: Lancashire

Age: 30; RHB, RF

Injuries and misadventures derailed 'Freddy's' date with greatness and now the all-rounder is busy rebuilding his career. A quick bowler, who gets both swing and bounce, his batting has declined in recent times but remains a dangerous middle-order heavy hitter.

STEVE HARMISON

County: Durham

Age: 29; RF

Inconsistent paceman who fluctuates between brilliant and ordinary. When in tune, is one of the best quicks in the world, who troubles all batsman with his speed and bounce. Has played only two 20/20 internationals for one wicket.

SAMIT PATEL

County: Nottinghamshire

Age: 23; RHB, SLA

Hard-hitting middle-order batsman and useful left-arm spinner who will probably watch the 20/20 for 20 showdown from the sidelines. Has played six ODIs for England.

MATT PRIOR

County: Sussex

Age: 26; RHB, WK

South Africa-born wicketkeeper who could open for the England side. A hefty hitter, who made a century on debut for the Test team - against the West Indies. Needs to work on his glovework to get back into the Test fold.

OWAIS SHAH

County: Middlesex

Age: 30; RHB

Stylish batsman who has never quite fulfilled his potential. Has been in and out of the England side since 2001. 'Ace' has played 10 20/20 internationals and made 235 runs (SR 135.05).

RYAN SIDEBOTTOM

County: Nottinghamshire

Age: 30; LFM

Left-arm swing bowler who, making full use of a second chance, is now the mainstay of the England attack. Not blessed with great pace, but is a tricky proposition to get away due to nagging line and length. Has eight wickets from four 20/20 internationals and a reasonable economy rate of 6.65 per over.

GRAEME SWANN

County: Nottinghamshire

Age: 29; RHB, OB

Attacking offspinner and hard-hitting middle-order batsman who has battled to stay in the England reckoning after making his ODI debut back in 2000. Well suited to this version of the game.

LUKE WRIGHT

County: Sussex

Age: 23; RHB, RM

Promising young all-rounder who bowls lively medium pace and can open the batting in 20/20s. Was England's leading scorer (346 runs) at the 2007 Twenty20 Cup.

MIDDLESEX'S SKIPPER, Shaun Udal, believes the pressure is all on Trinidad and Tobago when the sides battle it out for the Stanford 20/20 Series title and US$400,000 on Monday.

"The pressure is not on us, Trinidad and Tobago are the holders of the (Stanford) 20/20 Championship, they have played at this ground before, the pressure is on them and it's nice for us to come out here as underdogs," Udal said.

"The key is having the experience to cope with the pressure and we have got bags of experience within our side," he said. Daren Ganga, Trinidad and Tobago's captain, said his "guys are really performing well and with every game we find that the intensity is increasing". "We are confident of doing our country proud at the Stanford series and once we are battle hardened we will have success in Antigua," said Ganga of a team which has already played a number of practice matches.

Udal, after having watched video of the T&T team during the last Stanford 20/20 tournament, said spinners would play a big role in the game's outcome.

The off-spinning skipper said he was happy with his team's spin duo of himself and Indian left-arm spinner Murali Kartik while Trinidad have lost their most dominant spinner in Dave Mohammed, who is with the Stanford Superstars.

However, the twin island republic still has the services of Amit Jaggernauth, Sherwin Ganga and Samuel Badree.

Experienced guys

"Murali Kartik is a world-class performer," said Udal. "He's done it for India against the best in the world. I bowl offspin as well, so we have two experienced guys, who have been around the block and know how to react under pressure, so if the wickets do spin then we are more than happy with the spin partnership that we've got," he said.

In the batting department, Andrew Strauss will be the main man for Middlesex, while Daren Ganga and William Perkins should lead T&T's charge.

Middlesex squad: Shaun Udal (c), Neil Carter, Neil Dexter, Steven Finn, Billy Godleman, Tyrone Henderson, Ed Joyce, Murali Kartik, Dawid Malan, Eoin Morgan, Tim Murtagh, David Nash, Alan Richardson, Ben Scott, Andrew Strauss.

Trinidad and Tobago squad: Daren Ganga (c), Lendl Simmons, William Perkins, Richard Kelly, Amit Jaggernauth, Darren Bravo, Ravi Rampaul, Denesh Ramdin, Sherwin Ganga, Samuel Badree, Rishi Bachan, Justin Guillen, Daron Cruickshank, Navin Stewart, Kevon Cooper.

- Anthony Foster