ICC T20 World Cup 2022: Michael Bevan Picks Top 3 Favourites, Says Australia Can Win Back-to-Back Titles
Published - 05 Oct 2022, 02:31 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:13 AM
Michael Bevan, a former Australian batter, named India, England, and Australia as his top three picks for the T20 World Cup in 2022, adding that the reigning champions, headed by Aaron Finch, can contend once again.
The T20 World Cup will be held in Australia starting on October 16, and teams will be at their best as they prepare for it, making it the most competitive edition ever.
Australia To Get Benefit From Home Conditions: Michael Bevan
Michael Bevan expressed his optimism that Australia’s home form will mirror that of Finch’s squad in the UAE the previous season. When the World Cup began last year, Australia was not considered one of the favourites, but they fought above their weight to win the championship.
On the other side, England will enter the World Cup after winning a 4-3 T20I series in Pakistan. In a closely contested series, England prevailed against Pakistan in Pakistan despite missing several important players, including their skipper Jos Buttler.
India overcame disappointment at not making it to the Asia Cup 2022 finals by defeating world champions Australia and South Africa in the T20I series at home prior to the World Cup.
“I reckon I would have to say India, England and Australia. I think that the pick of the teams at the moment are probably India and England.
But Australia have some amazing players, some super talented players and, when it clicks for them, it clicks and they are plenty good enough to take off (win) consecutive World Cups,” Bevan said in Sydney, as quoted by a news agency AP.
“And, given the home ground advantage (for Australia), it should help a little bit as well. I think they would have to be my top three at this stage, I think.”
Russell Arnold Optimistic Of Sri Lank’s World Cup Chances
While everything was going on, former Sri Lanka all-rounder Russell Arnold praised Dasun Shanaka’s team and said they should be quite confident after winning the Asia Cup.
Sri Lanka will compete in Round 1 in an effort to make the Super 12 as they did not receive an automatic entry.
“The fact that they (Sri Lanka) won the Asia Cup and, over the last two or three months, they have played some amazing cricket. A lot of people have loved the type of cricket they have been playing.
“So they will be a handful for anyone, and if they (Sri Lanka’s opponents) are not careful, they (Sri Lanka) will trip (up) one of the more-fancied oppositions. I think, quietly, there is a good chance that they can do that – be silent about it (go under the radar),” Arnold said.
