Australia is back to full strength ahead of the T20I World Cup 2021 with the return of front-line players including Steve Smith, David Warner, and Pat Cummins. The T20I World Cup in UAE is starting in October. It was on Thursday, Australia their 15-member squad that contains the balance of seam and spin bowling options along with some aggressive big-hitters in their squad.
There is only one uncapped player in their squad for Australia his name is Josh Inglis, he is a wicket-keeper batsman who will be used as a backup to veteran wicketkeeper Mathew Wade.
Australia in the past had great success in the 50-overs format, winning the 50-overs World Cup five times and also being the runner-up twice across 12 editions. But the point to be noted here is, the Australian side which is considered to be a dangerous limited-overs side is yet to win its maiden title in the T20I World Cup. Australian team seems to be struggling in T20I format in recent times, which could be seen as they lost the T20I series to Bangladesh this month.
There is good news for the Australian fans is that the return of all-rounders Glen Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis and fast bowler Pat Cummins and Kane Richardson along with the return of top-order batsman David Warner and Steve Smith. These players as a whole could add more firepower to the batting line-up.
Australian captain and opener Aaron Finch who missed the Bangladesh series due to knee surgery is expected to fully recover before the marquee tournament that is the T20I World Cup which will happen in Oman and UAE.
“We are confident this squad can take the side deep into what will be an extremely competitive tournament “, Australia chief selector and also the former cricketer George Bailey said. “We have some best players in the world in their respective roles combined with the collective experience to succeed against the very best T20I sides in the world”.
The Australian players with IPL contracts are likely to participate in the second half of the Indian Premier League in the UAE just ahead of the marquee tournament T20I World Cup.
Australian Chief Selector bailey stated that Inglis’s backup wicketkeeper has been on the radar for a while.
Bailey said about Inglis “He offers the squad the flexibility in the batting order with his adaptability, counterattacking ability, and power striking. He is a player we are excited about for the future”.
The pitches in UAE and Oman will aid spin a lot so Australian spinners Ashton Agar, Adam Zampa, and Glenn Maxwell will have a huge role to play in the T20I World Cup.
The Australian fast bowling attack for this T20I World Cup comprises Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Kane Richardson along with all-rounder Marcus Stoinis.
The T20I World Cup will have 16 teams competing for the title which will begin from 17th October till 14th November. The eight lower-ranked teams will fight four places in the super 12 round. Australia and South Africa are in the same group as England and West Indies. West Indies have won the T20I World Cup twice.
Australian Squad
Aaron Finch(captain), Pat Cummins(vice-captain), Ashton Agar, Josh Hazelwood, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Mathew Wade, David Warner, and Adam Zampa.
