T20 World Cup 2021: Michael Hussey said he is optimistic that Australia can go the distance and win their first-ever title in the shortest format of the game. Aaron Finch’s men are heading into the tournament on the back of series defeats in West Indies and Bangladesh.
Glenn Maxwell will be key to Australia’s chances in the T20 World Cup (Reuters Photo)
HIGHLIGHTSAustralia will open their campaign against South Africa on October 23Australia have not won a T20I series since January 2020Aaron Finch will lead Australia’s search for their 1st T20 World Cup title in the UAE
Michael Hussey has played down concerns over Australia’s form in T20 cricket and said he is optimistic that the team can go on to win their first-ever T20 World Cup title in the UAE.
Australia have not managed to win a T20I series since February 2020 suffering defeats in West Indies and Bangladesh this year but the return of their big names, including Mitchell Starc, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell and David Warner, gives the team confidence.
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“I’m actually pretty optimistic about Australia’s chances. I think we’ve got a really good team, a dangerous team. If they can get their confidence up, adapt well to the conditions, then I think it’s a pretty darn good team. Hopefully, they can get on a roll,” Hussey told foxsports.com.au.
The tournament will be held in the UAE and Oman with the final scheduled in Dubai on November 14.
Glenn Maxwell is on fire: Hussey
Hussey was all praise for all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, who showed great form for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the recently-concluded IPL in the UAE.
Maxwell amassed 513 runs, including six half-centuries, in 15 matches at an average of 42.75 and a strike rate of 144.10.
“He’s been great to watch. He’s been on fire. He’s been confident and the good thing is it’s in those conditions in the UAE (he has performed). So hopefully he can carry his IPL form into the World cup because he’s going to be a critical member of the team.
“It’s a tough role to play there in the middle order in T20 cricket so if you’ve got someone who’s in top form and on top of their game then we’ve seen he can be a match-winner on his own,” Hussey said.
Australia will begin their campaign in the Super 12 against South Africa on October 23 in Abu Dhabi. They will take on India in one of their two warm-up matches on Wednesday.
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