Had it been written today, Alanis Morissette’s Ironic might have mentioned the fact that the 2021 Men’s T20 World Cup would take place a year before the postponed 2020 iteration.
Then again, it wouldn’t really fit the rhyming scheme…
In any case, Australia will get their World Cup campaign underway tomorrow night, officially opening the Super-12 stage of the tournament against South Africa. Currently ranked 7th on the ICC T20I rankings, Australia are considered outsiders for the title.
It seems a lifetime ago, but in reality, it was only a little over a year, that Australia sat on top of the tree in the shortest form – dethroning Pakistan for the #1 ranking in May 2020. However, lacklustre form since – highlighted by two particularly disappointing tours earlier this year against the West Indies and Bangladesh – have seen the side plummet in the rankings.
That said, Australia’s team remains full of fire power. Boasting some of the most dynamic and devastating players in the world, there is reason to believe Australia can buck the short form trend, and potentially, claim the T20 World Cup for the first time.
Mitch Marsh will be crucial to Australia's success
Crucial to their chances will be Mitch Marsh. Conspicuous by his relatively limited showing in Australia’s two warm-up matches (he managed only 24 and 0 against New-Zealand and India), Marsh will get first crack at the vital number three position. Since July, the all-rounder has been a shining light for Australia, making four fifties and two other scores in the forties in international T20’s. Backed by his teammates to have a profound influence, Glenn Maxwell could hardly have more confidence in the Western Australian.
“Mitch Marsh is going to have a massive tournament,” he said. “I don’t think I’ve seen someone hit the ball better – ever.”
High praise from a man who is renowned as one of the most explosive T20 batters in history, Maxwell also enters the World Cup with a hot hand. Having been in blistering form of late, Maxwell is a bona-fide match winner, who has the unique ability to change the game with bat, ball and in the field. Australia’s highest ranked all-rounder in T20 cricket, he is raring to go after a stunning IPL in which he was the fifth-highest run-scorer. An invaluable experience, he was also able to learn from some of the best; on a team with Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers.
“Every day (of the IPL) was a learning experience,” Maxwell recalls. “Every day I was finding something new out, I was being a sponge to AB and Virat.”
By contrast, opener David Warner could scarcely have imagined a worse lead up to an ICC event. Dropped from his Sunrisers Hyderabad team for the better part of the IPL, Warner has had two glaring failures at the top of the order in Australia’s warm-up matches; with scores of 0 and 1. Though he has been backed by Aaron Finch, who declared the pair would open the batting together, Warner’s lack of runs is characteristic of a muddled top-order; one that slumped to 3/11 against India just a couple of days ago. Nevertheless, Warner at his best would be an invaluable commodity for Australia – his uninhibited style a tantalising prospect according to Pat Cummins:
Warner and Finch will be keen to turn things around at the top of the order
“We just want Davey to be fearless, to go out there and keep playing his way.”
If there are question marks over the strength of the top order, there are queries of a different kind when it comes to the bowlers. With the preference to play two front-line spinners (Agar and Zampa) in the low and slow conditions, it is expected that one of Hazlewood or Cummins will miss – considering Mitchell Starc is seemingly a certain starter. Hazlewood enjoyed success in the West Indies and Bangladesh and also impressed for Chennai in the IPL. Despite the fact that he is the #1 ranked Test bowler in the world, Cummins, who has 37 T20I wickets to his name, is pragmatic when it comes to the reality of selection:
Which way will the selectors go?
“There is a possibility for anyone (to miss out), it’s a World Cup,” he said. “I want to play, so we’ll see what happens… someone is going to miss out.”
Whichever way it pans out at the selection table, Australia will be quietly confident taking on South-Africa.
As for the prospect of potentially earning their maiden T20 World Cup title entering the campaign as underdogs?
“Isn’t it ironic.”
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