Will Australia Win T20 World Cup 2024? SWOT Analysis, Team Rating & Strongest Playing XI

Australia lifted the 2023 World Cup [X.com]

After two months of a hectic IPL season, it's time to witness the biggest T20I extravaganza, with the much-awaited T20 World Cup set to commence on next month. 

While the eyes will be on the big three- India, Australia and England- teams like New Zealand and South Africa will be the dark horses heading to the competition. 

Regarding Australia, the Men in Yellow have been outstanding of late, winning ICC titles across formats. But unlike the ODIs and Tests, the Aussies aren't equipped with the Midas touch of Pat Cummins, with Mitchell Marsh replacing him as the captain in T20Is. 

However, despite Cummins not leading them, the Aussies have assembled a monstrous side on paper for the mega event. Will they go all the way and add another trophy to their cabinet? Let's analyse and find out. 

Australia's squad for T20 World Cup

Mitchell Marsh (C), David Warner, Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Cameron Green, Ashton Agar, Tim David, Josh Inglis (WK), Matthew Wade (WK), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa, Nathan Ellis

Travelling reserves: Matthew Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk

Strengths

A nightmarish batting line-up

Australia have a star-studded top-order, comprising Travis Head and David Warner alongside skipper Mitch Marsh, who will bat at number three. 

Their middle order looks compact and rock-solid, having outright match-winners like Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis, Marcus Stoinis and Tim David. More importantly, at number eight, they have Pat Cummins, who can score some handy runs lower down the order. 

Thus, besides having top-tier hitters throughout the lineup, Australia have incredible depth in their batting unit. This will allow the batters to play aggressively with a fearless mindset. 

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Plethora of all-rounders

If we look at Australia's T20 World Cup squad, we can spot some quality all-rounders in it. Besides Maxwell, Green, Agar and Stoinis, the Aussies have Head and captain Marsh, who can chip in with a few overs if needed. 

This ensures flexibility in their lineup, enabling them to use multiple bowling options if a first-choice bowler has a bad day in the office. 

The 'Zampa' factor

Amid the fireworks and dynamism of Head, Warner and Maxwell, one player who mostly goes under the radar is Adam Zampa. 

A leg spinner who always leaves his mark in the biggest stage, Zampa's journey from a rookie to a maestro has been nothing short of exceptional. 

Besides nagging accuracy, Zampa's lethal variations make him one of Australia's most valuable assets in the competition. 

Weakness

Lack of spin hitters apart from Maxwell

While Head, Warner, Marsh and Stoinis can butcher any kind of pace bowling, Australia seem to be slightly over-dependent on Glenn Maxwell when it comes to spin-hitting. 

In modern-day T20Is, most of the teams have leg spinners and left-arm orthodox spinners who are quick through the air. 

In such a scenario, especially when Maxwell is struggling with his form, having one designated spin-basher might affect Australia's scoring rate in the middle overs. 

Josh Inglis is definitely an alternative solution only if Australia send him up the order when the spinners operate. 

(Alarming strike rates of Australian batters vs SLA and RALB)

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Death bowling

Apart from spin-hitting, the one thing that could have an adverse impact on Australia's World Cup campaign is their death bowling. They don't have a place for slog-overs specialist Nathan Ellis, with Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins picking themselves in the starting XI. 

However, the trio doesn't have great numbers in slog overs in recent times. Statistically, Hazlewood has been the best death bowler among the three since 2022, despite recording an abysmal economy rate of 9.82. 

Therefore, Australia's death bowling could be exploited by certain batting units on true pitches, although we acknowledge the effectiveness of these hit-the-deck pacers on slightly abrasive surfaces as the tournament progresses. 

(Australian pacers in 16-20 overs since 2022)

Opportunity

To script history in the Caribbean

The last time Australia played a T20 World Cup in West Indies, the Englishmen thrashed them in the final to win their maiden ICC title. 

Therefore, this tournament gives them the opportunity to go all the way and conquer the Caribbean. Moreover, if Australia win the World Cup, it will help Mitchell Marsh establish his legacy when the world is abuzz about Pat Cummins. 

Threats

Form of Maxwell & Warner

Maxwell's poor form is a concern for Australia [X]

The abysmal recent form of two key players- Glenn Maxwell and David Warner- has emerged as a massive concern for the Aussies before the World Cup. 

Warner and Maxwell looked horribly out of touch in the IPL 2024 where they averaged 21 and 5.78, respectively, with the bat. 

While there is Jake Fraser-McGurk among the travelling reserves as a potential backup for Warner, it's high time Maxwell should bring his A-game as Australia don't have an equally good replacement for him. 

Team Rating (based on balance and recent form)

Strongest Playing XI

Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh (C), Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis (WK), Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa

Expected finish

Considering their squad, Australia are one of the hot contenders to win the World Cup. So, we back them to qualify for the knockouts, with their performance in the high-stakes matches determining their destiny afterwards. 

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