Australia, the reigning ODI World Champions have booked their place into the Super 8 of the ICC World T20 2024. It is one of those things when it comes to Australian cricket. A powerful team that is sure of its abilities and knows what needs to be done on the day to get the result it needs. And now Australia looks to be on a role.
Having beaten England, the most challenging game of Group B, Australia went into cruise mode brushing aside Nambia and Oman in comprehensive victories. The win against Namibia was notable in this regard, having bundled them out for just 72, the Aussies got to the target in just 5.4 overs losing only a single wicket.
Australia – Super 8 Stage Here We Come
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This outcome was almost a given. Once the Australians defeated the English team rather convincingly by 36 runs, the rest of the teams in the group simply had to hope that the mighty Australians had slipped up along the way. If history is anything to go by, Australia is not a team to make dumb mistakes against any opposition, especially the minnows.
Underestimating their opposition no matter the circumstances was never part of the Australian cricketing psyche, and true to their credentials, putting down the opposition ruthlessly is the name of their game. And that is exactly what the wallabies did. The crushing defeat of Namibia is the sort of win a powerful side unleashes as a way to send a message that this team means business.
Australia – No Compromise Cricket
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This is a no-nonsense Australia team. As it has always been (well as far as I can remember) Australians go into every game expecting to perform to their fullest and when they do succeed, they usually win. As they did with Oman. The team has the players in the form of power hitters at the top, stability in the middle, and some more big hitters down the order.
The omission of Steve Smith and bringing in the likes of Tim David and Marcus Stoinis is a clear indication that this team means business. In T20 Cricket there is no middle ground when it comes to how a team chooses to approach a game. Whilst pitch and match conditions will play a part, the key is to keep striking from the word go and that is what the Australians have set themselves up to do.
Tournament Favorites Already?
While it is still very early days the Wallabies have stamped their mark on the tournament. With India and South Africa among the major teams yet to face a defeat, the confidence for the team from down under must be sky-high. But that does not leave room for complacency. And with Australia, you are not going to get it.
This is a team that things are never over till they are over. And they are not the choking type either. Unlike a certain other top team, I will not mention. All in all, things are looking good for Australia.
