Any conversation related to an ICC tournament is incomplete without mentioning Australia, a team that dominated multi-national competitions for well over a decade. The cricket fraternity is well-versed in the Baggy Greens' historic achievements in 50-over ODI World Cups, a trophy which they have clinched a record five times. Australia have always been considered one of the favourites to win any multi-national tournament they play in. Along the same lines, Aaron Finch's men are once again primed to weave their magic, only this time they have an opportunity to create history in front of their home supporters and in their own backyard.
Last year, the Baggy Greens bagged their first-ever T20 World Cup title under Finch's captaincy and the most successful team in ICC competitions is gearing up to defend their crown. Let's take a look at the strengths and weaknesses of Australia ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Current form
Australia's recent performances have been far from convincing. Their leader, Finch is struggling to regain his top form with the bat. The Baggy Greens lost the three-match T20I series against India 1-2 while they registered a thumping win at home against West Indies in the following series. Finch's men lost two close contests against England at home and the recent performances are certainly a small cause of worry. Having said that, Australia is a different beast in ICC tournaments. They will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against New Zealand on October 22.
Squad brimming with match-winners
If you take a look at Australia's squad for the T20 World Cup, it is filled with outright match-winners, who can win matches single-handedly. The squad includes mercurial players like Finch, David Warner, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis among others. Warner seems to have attained top form just at the right time. In his last three innings, the dazzling southpaw has smashed two half-centuries. All-rounders Stoinis and Marsh, two players who are known to destroy bowling attacks, are also in fantastic form. In bowling Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa form a lethal attack while the pace of Mitchell Starc can decimate any batting order.
Australia's weakness
As things stand right now, Maxwell appears to be Australia's biggest weakness. The swashbuckling middle-order batter can't buy a run at the moment. The right-handed batter has failed to register a double-digit score in his last six T20I innings while his highest score in the last 10 innings is 25. Finch's form at the top is another concern for Australia. The right-handed batter recently announced his retirement from ODI cricket after enduring an agonising lean patch with the bat.
Tim David - The X-factor
Australia have also included Tim David in their squad for the T20 World Cup. A destructive lower-order batter, David is known for his merciless trouncing of a bowling attack. The lanky batter is in tremendous form, having scored four scores of 40 or more in his last seven innings. He can prove to be the Baggy Greens' trump card in clutch situations.
Australia's schedule
| Date | Day | Match | Time in IST |
| October 22 | Saturday | New Zealand vs Australia | 12: 30 PM IST |
| October 25 | Tuesday | Australia vs A1 | 4: 30 PM IST |
| October 28 | Friday | England vs Australia | 1: 30 PM IST |
| October 31 | Monday | Australia vs B2 | 1: 30 PM IST |
| November 4 | Friday | Australia vs Afghanistan | 1: 30 PM IST |
Australia's squad for T20 World Cup: Australia: Aaron Finch (c), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
