Australia don't look like a team that can win a World Cup (Image: @TheBarmyArmy/Twitter)
Only a year ago, Australia weren’t standout favourites to win the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup, yet the feel among the squad couldn’t have been doubted. That team went on to win the tournament, yet this time round doesn’t quite feel the same.
The lingering effects from an attempted catch on Wednesday resulted in David Warner being managed for Australia. Steve Smith was the sole inclusion for the hosts in the final of a three match series against England.
The Canberra cold and rainy climate perhaps suited what the English players are more accustomed to. Two rain delays shortened the match to 12 overs per innings making it difficult for Australia to accumulate any momentum before the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup.
Australia once again put on an uninspiring bowling display, despite naming its strongest attack, and allowed primarily Jos Buttler to dictate the outcome of the match.
You could usually forgive it in such conditions, yet poor fielding is becoming to common for comfort leading into the World Cup.
On top of that, there appears to be an overall lack of positivity or desire to win these matches. Something needs to change among the Australian squad and they have just a week left to do it.
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Australian batters were left with no choice but to be aggressive as England opening bowler, Chris Woakes took full advantage. Aaron Finch and Mitchell Marsh threw away their wickets with the opening two deliveries before Glenn Maxwell handed Woakes his third a couple overs later.
A third rain delay led to the match ultimately being abandoned, but Australia won’t be encouraged by their recent form.
The finish to the series has left Australia visibly appearing to be a shadow of the encouraged and boisterous group that claimed glory a year ago.
Australian captain, Aaron Finch was eager brush away the idea that the mood among the group is any different this time round.
“The mood certainly isn’t any different,” Finch told media post match.
“Internally we felt really confident leading into the last World Cup when when nobody gave us much of a chance,
“I’m not sure what people are saying or what the general consensus is, but we’re still really confident that we’ve got the team the structure, the individuals, the match winners that can win a World Cup.
“It’s a really similar squad to what we had last time and it’s just about performing on the day. T20 is such a brutal game and the format, the structure of the T20 World Cup is brutal as well.”
“You need a little bit of luck throughout the tournament as well and we’re still very confident.”
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