ICC T20 World Cup 2022: “There's No Reason Why Australia Shouldn't Be Right In The Mix At The Business End Of Tournament” – Brett Lee
Published - 22 Oct 2022, 06:20 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:14 AM
Legendary Australia National Cricket Team pacer Brett Lee has backed Aaron Finch and Co. to defend their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title at the home in the ongoing edition of the marquee tournament.
Aaron Finch’s Australia National Cricket Team dominantly defeated Kane Williamson-led New Zealand National Cricket Team by 8 wickets in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 in UAE to win the championship. The defending champions are placed in Group 1 of the multi-nation tournament along with New Zealand, England, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.
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Meanwhile, the legendary pacer Brett Lee has warned Australia National Cricket Team that a slow start will prove counterproductive.
“The last thing you want is to find yourself playing catch-up after the opening game. We saw that happen to India last time, and I had my own experience of it back in 2009. Then it was Chris Gayle and the West Indies who put us behind the eight ball, an outing at the Oval I would rather forget!
“So the key will be to hit the ground running in that opener and then to play with a bit more freedom thereafter,” Lee wrote in his column for ICC.
Notably, New Zealand National Cricket Team crushed Australia National Cricket Team by 89 runs in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 Super 12 stage opener.
I’ve been really impressed by Marcus Stoinis over the last 12 months – Brett Lee
Brett Lee further said that the explosive batter Tim David brings stability to the team and added that the Australian team can win back-to-back T20 World Cup championships.
“The fact that Tim David is the new face in the team is an indication of the stability of the defending champions, and a big reason why I think they could do it again and go back-to-back.”
The 45-year-old further said that he has been really impressed with the performances of all-rounder Marcus Stoinis over the last year. He said
“I’ve been really impressed by Marcus Stoinis over the last 12 months. He impressed when called upon in the last World Cup, but only bowled in one game and batted in four of the seven. This time around, there’s a chance that we might see more of him with both bat and ball and his form has been great.”
Brett Lee also said that Australia have got experience and talent in both batting and bowling department.
“It would obviously be a little hypocritical to write off any Australian struggles in the build-up but try to place huge importance on a series win in a different format. Still, a couple of those games involved coming from pretty dire positions to take the win, and psychologically that can only help.
“Between their experience and the talent with both bat and ball, there’s no reason why Australia shouldn’t be right in the mix at the business end of the tournament,” Lee added.