ICC World T-20 Teams Preview - Australia

When did an Australian team last enter a cricket tournament without good chances of winning it? Well, perhaps in the 1980s! Such has been Australia’s dominance of world cricket in the last decade that you always tag them as top three or four contenders to win a title. But not anymore. The Aussies have lost their aura. They don’t have a star studded side anymore and their World T-20 campaign in Sri Lanka will be led by the little heard Tasmanian George Bailey.

A three match series against Pakistan in the UAE ahead of World T-20 many thought will help them to prepare well for the global event, but plans have gone horribly wrong for the finalists of last event.
Despite the presence of Hussey brothers, Australia’s batting looks suspect against quality bowling, but there’s enough fire power in the fast bowling department with the likes of Cummins, Starc and  Hilfenhaus.

Watch out for
David Warner
Any man who walks out to play for Australia before making his first class debut has to be good. Diminutive opening batsman David Warner achieved that feat when he represented his country in 2009 in a T-20 International against South Africa. The last time that had happened in Australian cricket was in 1877.
Warner, a left-handed 25-year-old batsman, is one of the cleanest strikers of the ball. In 2010 his strike rate in domestic T-20 cricket was a majestic 232:87 and his efforts were largely responsible in New South Wales booking a place in the Champions League.

Shane Watson
The big made Shane Watson has been named vice-captain of the side and is capable of coming up with match winning performances with both bat and ball.Opening combination of Warner and Watson could become major threat for any bowling attack. Shane Watson will be hoping to convert his good starts to big scores to help the team to put up big scores.

Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc the left arm seamer who was in devastating form against Pakistan could prove to be very handy in demolishing opponents. Along with Maxwell, Starc shown the skills to adapt to different skills and situations.

Australia's Major weakness will be in the spin department and that could be a big factor in determining their fate in the tournament.

Australia are in Group ‘B’ alongside West Indies and Ireland. Their campaign gets underway on the 19th of September at R. Premadasa Stadium, but the big match is three days later when they take on West Indies at the same venue.

Prediction : Australians will struggle to qualify for the semi final and they could face a situation of not winning a single game in the super eight as they are in a tough group with tournament favorites Pakistan and India along with another strong team South Africa. 

Chance of Winning : 75%

Australia Squad: George Bailey (Captain), Shane Watson, Daniel Christian, Patrick Cummins, Xavier Doherty, Ben Hilfenhaus, Brad Hogg, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Clint McKay, Glen Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner and Cameron White.