NEWS
Follow UsDespite coming to the competition with a poor run of form, Australia have done commendably well in the tournament to secure a semi-final position in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup in UAE. The Aussies commenced their campaign with a nervy win over South Africa and then got an easy victory over Sri Lanka in their next game. But, then they suffered a proper hammering at the hands of England and it felt like everything would go downhill from there on, but instead of throwing in the towel, Australia confirmed their place in the semifinals with two massive wins over Bangladesh and West Indies respectively.
Former pacer Brett Lee believes with David Warner in prime form, "underdogs" Australia are well poised to clinch their maiden ICC T20 World Cup title this time.
"After almost a month of action, it all comes down to five days, four teams and three matches at the ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup 2021. And I reckon this could be Australia's year," he wrote in a column for the ICC.
"I sense the belief in the Australia camp and I think there is some real momentum there. Everything is clicking nicely ahead of Thursday's semi-final against Pakistan."
Lee said he had faith on Warner's ability to regain form and had a chat with him ahead of the tournament. "I was speaking to David Warner before it started and told him 'I have you down to be Australia's leading run-scorer, so don't let me down!' I did that on the belief that he is a big-match player, a big tournament player and that has not changed. Aaron Finch has found some form, Mitchell Marsh is hitting the ball well and Glenn Maxwell will come good."
In the run-up to the World Cup, Australia had lost five straight series, suffering defeats against Bangladesh, West Indies, New Zealand, India and England. Lee feels coming into the tournament on a low has helped Australia immensely.
"They have been underdogs in this tournament and going under the radar has really helped them. When you go in as one of the favourites like England, with their history and success, it breeds confidence but also expectations. If England don't beat New Zealand and make the final, people will be asking questions, just like India, who started slowly and didn't peak at the right time."
The 45-year-old former tear-away pacer feels the four semifinalists rightfully deserved their places in the business end of the tournament.
"I think we have the right four teams in the semi-finals and it's interesting to note that only one of them is from the sub-continent. We thought the conditions would favour the likes of India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan but it just didn't happen for them," Lee said.
