Friday, June 5, 2009

Preview – Australia


The ODI champions haven’t done anything notably in the shortest form of the game, yet they are one of the front runners in lifting the ICC World T20 this year. They were knocked down by India last year in an intense semi final, where Joginder Sharma bowled superbly to keep Michael Hussey quite in the last over of the match. Though Ricky Ponting looks confident of holding the trophy this time, recent boozing incidence of key all rounder Andrew Symonds have dented Aussies chances badly.

Australia is in ‘The Group of Death’ with West Indies & Sri Lanka being the other two teams. Winning either both the matches or at least one & the run rate drama will take away Ricky Ponting’s sleep in the days to come. They would be pretty keen at least to get to the second round. Interestingly, they’ve lost their last T20 against Pakistan in Dubai & were also defeated in the two matches against South Africa in South Africa, earlier this year.

Strengths

Big names of world cricket like Ponting, Hussey, Clarke & Lee are in their side & the young guns like Warner, Cameron White, Shane Watson & Nathan Bracken would be there to support the Aussie cause.

Weaknesses

Ponting, Hussey, Clarke & Lee haven’t played much T20 cricket at the domestic level & this might just not be in the favour of the Aussies. Moreover, bowling will also not have much to offer except Lee & Bracken.

Opportunities

To bag one more star in their crown as it could probably be Ponting’s last T20 world cup. He would like to won his last World T20 cup. Also to show the world that they have recovered from the defeats in last year or so against India & South Africa.


Threats

Chris Gayle, Sanath Jayasurya, Muthiah Muralitharan & Fidel Edwards will be trying very hard for their respective teams. Australia has to ensure that these stars should not go big against them. Also bowling can go for runs in the middle overs, where inexperienced bowlers will be in put in attack.

Squad

Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Nathan Bracken, Brad Haddin (wk), Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Peter Siddle, Andrew Symonds, David Warner, Shane Watson

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