Aakash Chopra believes Australia is unlikely to have a great run at the upcoming T20 World Cup. Australia is clubbed with England, West Indies, South Africa, and two qualifying teams in Group A of the T20 World Cup. They recently announced their squad for the mega event, which will be played in the UAE and Oman.
The players who were given an opportunity in the recently concluded Bangladesh series couldn’t make the most of it and failed to make it to the side. This includes Moises Henriques, Alex Carey, Josh Philippe, and Ashton Turner. Also missing will be bowlers Jhye Richardson, Andrew Tye, and Jason Behrendorff.
Speaking about their squad in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra was circumspect about their chances at the global event.
“On paper, this looks a fantastic team. But their story is that all five fingers come together but do not become a fist. While this looks like a very good team on paper, I am not very very excited about their prospects,” said Aakash Chopra.
The former Indian batsman added that the Australians being in the tougher group is a blow to their chances.
“Firstly the pool they are in, I feel they are going to get slightly stuck. That’s the pool of death, ours is not.”
England and West Indies are certainly the favourites to make it through to the semi-finals from Group A. However, the Aaron Finch-led side has the potential to spring a surprise or two and make it through to the knockout stages.
Aakash Chopra: Australia Is Slightly Short In The Spin Department
Aakash Chopra believes the Aussies might be found slightly wanting in the spin-bowling department while acknowledging that Australia has an excellent seam-bowling attack in Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Kane Richardson. But spinners Mitchell Swepson, Adam Zampa, and Ashton Agar aren’t that experienced.
“The bowling is looking extremely good but they are slightly short in the spin department. And also remember that the World Cup is going to happen after the IPL,” said Aakash Chopra.
The reputed commentator added that the Australian batsmen might also have difficulties playing against the spinners on the UAE tracks that are likely to turn.
“When those things remain in the mind, Australia becomes a decent team, not a great team because the spin reserves – Swepson, Zampa, Agar – not the greatest, let’s admit that. There could be some problems while playing against spin in the batting department as well,” said Aakash Chopra.
Australia has come up short in their two recent T20I series against West Indies and Bangladesh without their regular players. They lost both the series by a 4-1 margin, with their batting shortcomings, in particular, coming to the fore.
Steve Smith returned from an elbow injury. while regular captain Aaron Finch was also named in the squad while recovering from recent knee surgery. The Australians have endured a lean time of late in T20 cricket, having lost each of their past five series.
Australia named a strong 15-man squad for the Twenty20 World Cup, recalling pacer Pat Cummins and leading batsmen Steve Smith and David Warner for the global tournament in the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Uncapped West Australian Josh Inglis has been included as a backup wicketkeeper to Matthew Wade.
Australia squad
Aaron Finch (C), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins (VC), Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa
All-rounders Dan Christian and Daniel Sams, and fast bowler Nathan Ellis have been named as travelling reserves.