Australia is the odd man out in an all-Asian Super Eight group, so they will have their work cut out for them in the T20 World Cup 2024.
Whatever happens in Sunday’s matchup between Scotland and St Lucia, Mitchell Marsh’s team, who have won their opening three games, will advance to the next round of the competition.
The primary topic of discussion surrounding that match will be its effect on England; a defeat for Australia would be sufficient to eliminate the reigning champions. Nevertheless, Australia’s route to a second T20 World Cup and the three current men’s ICC global crowns is starting to become much more apparent.
Australia’s Super Eight group will comprise Afghanistan and India, according to pre-tournament seedings. After Nepal failed to stun South Africa on Saturday by one run, Bangladesh is in the box seat to join them.
With Australia being a squad that has historically struggled with spinning wickets, those three will present a formidable task.
According to Matthew Wade, Australia’s vice-captain, “a lot of us have prepared for plenty of spin depending on what venue you get to.” “People throughout the world, from the start of the World Cup to the Indian Premier League, have been getting ready for it.
“We anticipate no different, and they’re all going to be incredibly difficult sides to defeat on their day. We anticipate that over the next days, they will give us quite a few spins.”
While Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav are available to them for slower surfaces in the Caribbean, India has so far depended more on their quicks for their matches in the USA.
Bangladesh will likewise favour their spinners as the wickets get old, although Afghanistan may count on Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmed, and Muhammad Nabi despite having lost Mujeeb Ur Rahman to injury. Having taken seven wickets in three games, legspinner Rishad Hossain, whom Australia has never played before, has impressed.
In the St. Vincent match between South Africa and Nepal, where Aus will play Afghanistan, the spinners had a lot of assistance.
Wade, however, expressed his hope that this competition wouldn’t be his last one in Australia. Despite being anticipated to retire following the 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cups, the 36-year-old has persisted in being a threat for Australia when batting at No. 7.
Also read: Scotland hopes to defeat Australia in history to secure a Super 8 berth
“I’m at my best when it’s the last opportunity,” Wade explained. “At the end of this one, we’ll have the same chat, perhaps I can extract some nice material in the next few minutes. Some players are set to leave this team. Should I be among those to bring in the next round of players to represent Aus, I will be more than happy to do so.”
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