Beware of Australia - The team to watch out for in World T20

Shane Watson

Each edition of the World Cup T20 has given us different world champions: India, Pakistan, England and West Indies.

The 5th edition of the championship gets under way tomorrow, starting off with a qualifying round that will involve 8 teams. With a total of 16 teams, this year’s World T20 is larger than any of the previous editions.

So which teams go into the tournament as the favourites? Will one of the previous champions take the title home or will we see yet another new T20 champion being crowned, or does one of the associates stand a chance of creating a massive upset in the most unpredictable format of cricket?

Shahid Afridi has made a sweeping statement that Pakistan has the best limited overs team in the world. Confident statements have also come from the Pakistani skipper Mohammad Hafeez and coach Moin Khan. There are reasons why Pakistan are bustling with confidence: They have been one of the most successful teams in World T20 competitions. They are the only team to have played the semi-finals of all the 4 editions, qualifying to the finals on two occasions and winning one of them.

Their success percentage of 63.5 is the second best success percentage in World T20 games, behind only to Sri Lanka, who have a success percentage of 66%. Sri Lanka, though, have not won the World T20 till date.

MS Dhoni also looked confident when he said that the IPL experience will be enough for India to compete against teams that look more threatening to win the crown this time around. India, despite winning the inaugural World T20, have not had a good time in World T20s. They have since then failed to make it to the knock-outs on any of the circumstances.

While the warnings from Dhoni and, to an extent, even from Afridi need not be taken seriously, the following one from Shane Watson poses a real threat.

“I think the versatility of this squad (is) more than any squad that I’ve played Twenty20 cricket for Australia. Certainly in all conditions against any opposition we can match up really well, I think it gives us more of a chance to be able win it.”

Those were the big hitting all-rounder’s words as Australia arrive at Bangladesh after completely outplaying South Africa in the just concluded T20 series, winning it 2-0.

Watson has been a part of Australia’s all 4 unsuccessful World T20 competitions. It is a surprise considering the success they have achieved in all the other formats of the game.

Watson’s words should be taken seriously by all teams, as they really do have a lot of firepower in their squad. The George Bailey-led team has got some dangerous players who have the ability to play at levels that may not be matched by their opponents.

David Warner, Shane Watson, Aaron Finch, Glenn Maxwell, Brad Hodge, George Bailey, Cameron White, James Faulkner… Just reading those names sends chills down my spine. Bowlers will have to bowl exceptionally well to contain these Australian batsmen.

Although an injured Mitchell Johnson is most likely to be ruled out of the tournament, the fact that Mitchell Starc has returned from a lengthy lay-off and is looking in very good touch compensates for the Ashes hero’s absence. Add Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Faulkner and Brad Hogg to that mix, and you find a very well balanced bowling attack.

Many believe that the sub-continental teams will be the most dangerous ones in this World T20 given the conditions in Bangladesh, but I really think that it is Australia that all teams need to be scared of.

Be very aware of Australia!