2020 World T20: Aussies draw defending champs West Indies, world No.1 Pakistan, New Zealand
If Australia are to win their first World T20 crown then they will have to do it the hard way after they drew defending champions West Indies and the No.1-ranked Pakistan in next year’s big tournament.
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Australia have been dealt a horror daw for next year’s home Twenty20 World Cup, forced to face No.1 ranked Pakistan in their tournament opener followed by defending champions West Indies.
Yet to win a T20 World Cup title, Australia will arguably have their best chance to do when they play on home soil in October and November of next year. But their hopes were given a cruel hit on Tuesday.
Only two teams will advance out of Group A, which also contains New Zealand and two qualifiers.
“The whole fixture looks pretty strong,” vice-captain Alex Carey said.
“(But) a real benefit is playing in our own country. We play a lot of Big Bash and T20 cricket here and knowing the conditions is huge.
“Saying that there are a lot of players throughout the world who play BBL and get a good insight as well.”
Australia have not made it out of the group stage in either of the past two tournaments, and have only made the final once from six attempts - losing to England in 2010.
“It’s just execution in those key moments,” allrounder Glenn Maxwell said.
“Looking back at the T20 World Cup in India we played some really good cricket during that.
“Unfortunately Virat (Kholi) got a hold of us in that last (group) game.
“A great player like him can have a day out and there’s not much you can do about it. It’s about finding a way to get their best player out.”
Australia’s T20 preparation will ramp up after this year’s one-day World Cup, with 21 internationals already scheduled in the space of 13 months before the home tournament.
Selectors have used 31 players in the past two years alone - the equal-second most of the eight teams to have already qualified.
“In an ideal world you probably want a set team but with so much cricket now you’ve got to get the mix right,” Carey said.
AUSTRALIA’S DRAW * October 24 v Pakistan, SCG * October 28 v West Indies, Perth Stadium * October 31 v Qualifier, Gabba * November 3 v Qualifier, Adelaide Oval * November 6 v New Zealand, MCG * Semi-Finals: November 11, SCG; November 12, Adelaide Oval * Final: November 15, MCG
Originally published as 2020 World T20: Aussies draw defending champs West Indies, world No.1 Pakistan, New Zealand
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