ICC T20 World Cup 2022: "Finisher" Matthew Wade Key To Australia's Chances- Michael Bevan

Matthew Wade’s finishing ability will be key for Australia in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2022 stated legendary finisher Michael Bevan, who believes the hosts have a “solid chance” of retaining the T20 World Cup with home advantage.

Aaron Finch’s Australia will open their campaign against New Zealand, who they hammered in the final last year, in Sydney on October 22. This completed the ICC trophy cabinet for the Australians who have won five ODI World Cups, and two ICC Champions Trophies to their name.

The Australian team last won a world event at their home when they defeated New Zealand in the finals of the 2015 ICC World Cup, becoming only the second hosts to win the ODI World Cup at the home after India, who achieved the feat in 2011 and were followed by England, who won the trophy in 2019.

However, no host has won the T20 World Cup at home and Australia has a pretty good chance of doing so if Michael Bevan’s words are to be believed. Michael Bevan, who himself was part of Australia’s 1999 and 2003 World Cup wins, said that the home side had a strong squad and was good enough to defend their T20 World champions title at home.

“I think they are good enough. They have got plenty of skills floating around. They are defending champions, they have got the home ground advantage. I would say they are enough positives for me to be able to say Australia have a solid chance of winning this World Cup,” Bevan said to AFP in an interview.

There Are Really Good Signs About Matthew Wade: Michael Bevan

Bevan was renowned as a supreme “finisher” at the end of an innings and said wicketkeeper Matthew Wade was the ideal man for that role in this Australian side. In the last T20 World Cup, it was Wade who hit Shaheen Afridi for three sixes in a row in the semi-final against Pakistan to put Australia in the finals.

“He has had some really good innings under pressure in that role. Hopefully this will be the role that the Australian selectors see him in — there are really good signs about Matthew Wade and the Australian batting line-up with him in that position,” Bevan added.

Apart from Australia, Bevan said that the other two teams who are favorites to win the tournament were India and England.

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