‘Untouchable’ Australia chasing full trophy cabinet at T20 World Cup, India ‘need to win things’
Australia’s “untouchable” aura at World Cups have them primed to add T20 glory to their trophy collection as a chief rival chases silverware.
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Australia are hoping to continue their “untouchable” form and win the T20 World Cup, while India are desperate to win their first international trophy in more than a decade.
Australia overcame an early scare to defeat Oman by 39 runs in their opening game on Thursday as the tournament got underway in America and the Caribbean.
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The Aussies and defending champions England are heavily favoured to progress out of Group B, which also features Oman, Scotland and Namibia.
The top two teams from each group will progress to the Super Eight stage, which will see eight teams, divided into two groups of four, compete for semi-final spots.
If Australia repeats their 2021 triumph and wins the T20 World Cup, they will hold every major cricket title, men’s and women’s, in their trophy cabinet.
In 2023, the men’s team retained the Ashes, and beat India to win both the World Test Championship and the ODI World Cup. Australia’s women’s side also holds every major trophy.
Chris Broad, former ICC match referee and the father of Stuart Broad, believes Australia have now developed a near invincible aura in major tournaments.
“In ICC events, Australia are untouchable,” Broad told news.com.au, per Best Payout Online Slots.
“They’ve performed magnificently in recent times. Not quite so well in T20 cricket but some sides have good days and bad days in such a short space of time so that’s possibly why they haven’t achieved as much in the 20-over format compared to the 50-over format but they’re a very good side.
“Mitch Marsh can also be an inspirational captain with his all-round game, he leads by example and could drag Australia through on many occasions.
“They have some terrific players, there’s no doubt about it but their greatest team was under Ponting and Steve Waugh in the 90s and 2000s. With McGrath, Warne, Hayden and Langer, they were outstanding.
“Nowadays, someone like David Warner, who started his career in T20s and has become the player he is today is a fantastic achievement. They’re a good team but they haven’t reached the heights of the Ponting and Steve Waugh sides.”
All eyes are on India, who haven’t won an ICC trophy since the 2013 Champions Trophy, and the 2011 ODI World Cup and the 2007 T20 World Cup before that.
Asked if India need a trophy to stamp their authority on world cricket, particularly in light of the IPL’s growth and their population of 1.4 billion people, Broad said: “Yes, without a doubt.
“There are fantastic individuals within the Indian team but they haven’t won the T20 World Cup since 2007 and that was the inaugural tournament.
“It’s been a long time without a T20 tournament win. Winning trophies is the key if they want to be seen as a successful side in world cricket. They are lauded as individuals but as a team, they need to win things.”
India defeated Ireland by eight wickets in their first game and are favoured to win the T20 World Cup and break their trophy drought.
Warner scored 56 off 51 balls in Australia’s win over Oman. With Jake Fraser-McGurk waiting in the wings, the World Cup looms as Warner’s international farewell after he retired from Test and ODI cricket earlier this year.
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Broad said: “David started his career in T20s and then went into ODI cricket and then played over 100 test matches for his country which is an amazing achievement with all the highs and lows, players go through with the loss of form.
“So to have played in all three formats of the game and to be seen as one of the best opening batsmen Australia has had in recent years is a great achievement.
“Players come and players go and there will be another one waiting in the wings to make that position their own.”
Australia next play England on Sunday at 3am (AEDT).
Originally published as ‘Untouchable’ Australia chasing full trophy cabinet at T20 World Cup, India ‘need to win things’
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