Super 12s Group 1
Australia 28/10
Playing at home, Australia are solid favourites to win the tournament even if they recently gave up a home series defeat to England.
Counting against Australia is that they haven’t quite settled what their best top order is and who should fill key roles.
Versatile all-rounders Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell give Australia a great deal of flexibility with both capable of being top-order batters or finishers.
It is the bowling attack that Australia will back to get them home, and in contrast to their batting, the roles are pretty clearly defined.
When Australia’s pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins are on fire, leg-spinner Adam Zampa becomes a luxury but the diminutive wrist-spinner is also a legitimate wicket threat.
The threats to their progression will come from a tough opening three matches when they have to face New Zealand, possibly Sri Lanka and then England.
A poor start could completely rule Australia out of the running at home but if they start well they will be hard to stop.
Verdict: Semi-finalists
The Aussies are a good outfit, but may struggle to go beyond the semi-finals.Â
