Australia arrive in India as underdogs for a change

The Outlook

Australia will be aiming to break a frustrating drought at the upcoming World T20 in India. In a notable contrast to the One-Day International World Cup, which they have thoroughly dominated over the years, Australia are yet to win a World T20.

Australia go into the tournament with an unsettled team and are generally viewed a notch below favourites India.

After a humiliating whitewash at home against India in the three-match T20 series in January, Australia's selectors made radical changes to the team.

Most significantly, Steve Smith replaced incumbent Australia T20 captain Aaron Finch, who has been battling form and injuries recently. Australian chiefs were worried about the heavy burden of Smith captaining all three formats but believed there was no alternative after the calamity against India.

The selectors also dumped regular limited-overs wicketkeeper Matthew Wade in favour of Test gloveman Peter Nevill, who had never played a white ball match for his country.

Without an injured Mitchell Starc, arguably the world's best white ball bowler, Australia resisted selecting express paceman Shaun Tait, preferring a steadier pace attack complemented by a slew of all-rounders.

ICYMI

The lack of T20 matches Australia plays is highlighted by the incredible fact that they played just one match in that format in 2015.

Since the last World T20 two years ago, Australia has played only 10 matches (Note: before the Third T20 against South Africa) for a mediocre four wins.

Five key points

Batting Order: Australia has a high-powered batting arsenal but the actual makeup is still unknown. They have a slew of potential openers, so finding the right combination will be tricky. Sorting out their top order looms as a major headache for selectors.

Strength: Australia are capable of winning any match because they have a deep and explosive batting unit. As evidenced against South Africa when they chased 205 on March 6, Australia just needs one or two of their destructive batsmen to fire to score a massive total.

Weakness: Australia's bowling looms as their major weakness. Their pace battery without Mitchell Starc feels innocuous and lacks genuine intimidation. Spinners Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar are both very raw and could well struggle on the big stage. Opponents will feel confident of scoring heavily against this attack.

Indian conditions: Traditionally, Australia have struggled in the sub-continent across the formats. But countering this is the fact that numerous Australian players are experienced in T20 conditions in India having played an abundance of Indian Premier League matches.

Lack of matches: Australia just don't play enough T20 matches. After the series is complete in South Africa, they would have only played 11 since the last World T20 two years ago. This side feels like it has been thrown together haphazardly, so it will be interesting to see if they can mesh effectively.

Spotlight's on

Australia has a deep and imposing batting line-up which could include Aaron Finch, Shane Watson, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell and James Faulkner. They absolutely have the firepower in the batting to post daunting totals.

While these players promise plenty, they are not always reliable and Australia's batting will revolve around Smith and David Warner who are undeniably the team's fulcrum. Warner can win matches in a matter of overs with his destructive hitting; he's the ultimate game-changer.

Smith does not quite appear the typical T20 batting prototype but he just simply scores runs whenever he's at the crease no matter the format. As in Tests and ODIs, Smith will be the team's lynchpin. Without Starc, Australia will be reliant on accurate, hustling pace bowlers Josh Hazlewood and John Hastings.

Hazelwood, who has flourished at Test level over the past 12 months, will be relied upon to get early breakthroughs and keep things tight. He has notably struggled in T20 Internationals and has an economy rate of a staggering 10, although he has only played in five matches for Australia.

If Hazelwood struggles, then Australia's chances of progressing deep into the tournament nosedive.

Zampa won the coveted role of specialist spinner ahead of the fancied Cameron Boyce and Test incumbent Nathan Lyon. Ashton Agar, who has played two Tests as a leg-arm orthodox spinner but was used more as a specialist batsman than bowler by Perth Scorchers in the recent Big Bash League, looms as the team's 15th man and is unlikely to be given any game time.

Thus, the pressure rests on Zampa to be the team's frontline spinner with Glenn Maxwell's off-spin likely to be used intermittently. Zampa was a star performer in the BBL and his doggedness under pressure was noteworthy. He will need to trade on his temperament during the World T20 because you feel opposition batsmen will target him.

Schedule

March 18: vs New Zealand; Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala

March 21: vs TBD; M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

March 25: vs Pakistan; Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali

March 27: vs India; Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali

Expert opinion

- They have a very good squad, but the kind of cricket India and New Zealand are playing, it will be difficult to beat them. India just beat Australia 3-0 in Australia so they will play with a bit of pressure against the hosts. It will be difficult for them to beat India in India - Virender Sehwag

- I think Josh Hazelwood and John Hastings can be really effective, as they are bowlers who don't give too much and are disciplined. (Adam) Zampa is dangerous as the spinner, and they have some really talented all-rounders, so I think there is enough strength in the bowling - Ryan Harris

Bottom Line

Unusually for a major cricket tournament, Australia goes into the World T20 as somewhat of an unknown commodity. They have flaws in bowling, an unsettled batting lineup and generally struggle in the sub-continent.

But Australian cricket has been rejuvenated under the leadership of Smith and there is a prevailing positive feeling emanating from the camp right now, a spirit that was not always there under Michael Clarke.

Despite having never won the tournament, Australia generally equip themselves well having reached a final previously, and been knocked out at the semi-final stage twice.

Expect Australia to once again make the final four. You feel they will relish the rarity of being an underdog.

Prediction: Semifinal.