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England’s bid for the Twenty20 World Cup kicks off in Australia on Saturday when they face Afghanistan.
And while Jos Buttler’s side is studded with a dizzying array of both bat and ball talent, there are several sides that will try to bar their way to a second whiteball tournament win in three years.
Here Sports post takes a look at the five matches that will prove to be the toughest test when England win the trophy next month
Jos Buttler hopes to lead England to second Twenty20 World Cup victory in Australia
AUSTRALIA
World ranking: 6
Previous titles: 1 (2021)
How they take shape: Australia was not the best team at the World Cup last year, but won the trophy by winning the games that mattered. The feeling remains that they are behind the best teams in the world, but among their own fans it is expected that they will be the first in the league’s 15-year history to defend their title.
Playing at home should help, but the warm-up run of three games against England revealed flaws. The poor form of two big players in captain Aaron Finch and Glenn Maxwell is a matter of concern, debate rages over whether Steve Smith still deserves a place and they have a problem chasing.
Aaron Finch’s poor form has left many wondering if he deserves a supporting role?
What they do have is Josh Hazlewood, the world’s best 20-over bowler, two Test side-kicks with strong white-ball skills in Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc plus a wicket-taking leg spinner in Adam Zampa. But the lack of a fifth front-line bowler is a concern, and whether their trump cards can cover the cracks for a second time in 12 months is debatable.
Danger man: Tim David. He made his international debut last month. The striker of the biggest sixes of the game.
Fun fact: David Warner is one of the most recognizable T20 players, having played in 332 games but only three of them have competed in the Big Bash League in Australia.
Australia’s cross-format opener David Warner is a veteran of 332 Twenty20 players
NEW ZEALAND
World ranking: 5
Previous titles: 0
How they take shape: Last November’s defeated finalists won nine in a row earlier this year, but will expect tougher tests than Scotland, Ireland, the Netherlands and the West Indies, their opponents in that series.
Jimmy Neesham hit 27 out of 11 against England
The Black Caps’ success in all formats has been built on continuity and staff changes have been minimal since Abu Dhabi’s semi-final victory over England 11 months ago.
The decision to hand Devon Conway the wicketkeeping gloves expands the possibilities of a preferred XI that has seen him forge a new opening partnership with Finn Allen, relegating veteran Martin Guptill to cover.
Injury issues in the bowling attack will be a concern for coach Gary Stead and captain Kane Williamson, with the pace of Lockie Ferguson or Adam Milne needed to complement the skills of veterans Trent Boult and Tim Southee.
They’re in the England and Australia group, but they won’t worry about that in conditions that suit their style.
Danger man: Jimmy Neesham. A game-changer, as he showed last year with 27 from just 11 balls against England.
Fun fact: Boult, who recently turned down a national contract from the Kiwis, is more likely to post on social media about Louie, his golden retriever as cricket.
Devon Conway has entered into an opening partnership with Finn Allen and has taken over the gloves
INDIA
World ranking: 1
Previous titles: 1 (2007)
How they take shape: The loss of pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah to a back injury is significant, especially with their other metronome left arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja (knee) already out.
The absence of Jasprit Bumrah will be a huge blow to the 2007 champions
Rivals take more wickets than Bumrah, but with a T20 economy of 6.62, he seals leaks at the end of each innings. Mohammed Shami does not have the X factor of Bumrah’s pinpoint yorkers, so there will be additional pressure on Bhuvneshwar Kumar to make things right at death.
The rest of the attack will likely consist of Arshdeep Singh, Ravichandran Ashwin and the underrated Yuzvendra Chahal. Otherwise, it’s a matter of India finding the right combinations in their percussion, aided by Suryakumar Yadav, the T20 player in the world. Virat Kohli is also in shape.
Such a wealth in the top six means that KL Rahul is destined for the fluorescent bib. The condition of all-rounder Hardik Pandya is crucial for their balance.
Danger man: Rohit Sharma. A Mumbai Indian series winner, a major player and the only man to hit four hundred in T20 internationals.
Fun fact: Yadav, a man nicknamed SKY because of his initials, hit the first ball he encountered in his international career from England’s Jofra Archer for six.
Former talisman skipper Virat Kohli has also begun to rediscover his best form with the bat
PAKISTAN
World ranking: 3
Previous titles: 1 (2009)
How they take shape: England’s 4-3 home defeat highlighted Pakistan’s shortcomings, but also revealed how dangerous they could be in a knockout scenario if they solve their problems.
For a country so rich in mercurial talent, it felt strange that they had a batting unit with a succession of flounders after Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan divorced. Sometimes it was two out, all out. The subsequent promotions of Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz added dynamism to the middle class as they won a tri-series in New Zealand.
The return of Shaheen Shah Afridi has boosted Pakistan’s already lightning-fast attack
Reasons for optimism lie with a bowling attack, heightened by the return of left-armer Shaheen Shah Afridi from a knee injury. With Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah and Mohammad Wasim as well, Pakistan has the fastest pace group in a country where conditions encourage fast bowling.
Danger man: Mohammed Rizwan. Pakistan’s three wins against England were the world’s No. 1 T20 batter and marked a half-century trio.
Fun fact: Pakistan recently became the first country to play 200 Twenty20 internationals.
Mohammed Rizwan is ranked as the best T20 batter in the world and will shine for his side
SOUTH AFRICA
World ranking: 4
Previous titles: 0
How they take shape: If form is anything, South Africa is a contender. They have won 20 of their 27 completed matches and sidelined England last summer.
The return of Rilee Rossouw after a six-year hiatus in Kolpak has been added to a top order that includes Quinton de Kock. With fellow power hitters Tristan Stubbs and David Miller to follow, the Proteas won’t be confused if rates escalate. The only problem is captain Temba Bavuma, who has averaged five in his last six internationals with a white ball.
Captain Temba Bavuma’s form is a concern for the Proteas averaging just five in his last six
As for their bowling, Dwaine Pretorious’ injury has allowed for more variation in the attack. Substitute Marco Jansen offers an alternative left arm trajectory to the slipper Wayne Parnell.
Danger man: Lungi Ngidi. No other fast bowler comes close to his career strike rate of 12.4 with the ball.
Fun fact: Marco Jansen played provincial junior rugby as a fly-half until the age of 16 when he was 5ft 10in. Five years later, he made his international debut as a 6ft 8in fast bowler.
Marco Jansen started his career as a rugby fly-half before growing almost a foot in five years