Australia is the overwhelmingly popular pick to win this year’s Twenty20 World Cup among Fox Sports’ cricket experts.
However, while the host nation enjoys support from four of five experts to become the first country to win back-to-back titles, they have been shunned by legendary former captain Allan Border.
In fact, ‘AB’ doesn’t even think the Aussies will make the final, let alone become just the second nation to win two T20 World Cups, along with the West Indies.
Catch the T20 World Cup Live on Kayo. Don’t Risk Missing All Your Teams’ Matches. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
READ MORE
Elephant in room of Australia’s World Cup defence… and the forgotten truth we can’t ignore
This maverick made a fool of every Aussie pathway. Now he’s our $1.5m WC ‘godsend’
Handscomb goes on run-fest: 281*! | 04:46
Border believes Australia’s fellow tournament fancies England and India will be vying for the silverware at the MCG on November 13, and that the English will clinch their first title since 2010.
But, in a reflection of the fact that the Aussies are slight favourites to triumph, Brad Haddin, Kerry O’Keeffe, Isa Guha and Mel Jones have all backed the hosts to make it two World Cup wins in 12 months.
“South Africa also has a great squad for Australian conditions, but Australia are the better team with the addition of Tim David,” Haddin said.
“David gives Australia a matchwinner in the last five overs and he can turn a game in one over.”
O’Keeffe picked Australia because they have the best bowling attack, among other reasons.
“They’ll do it for ‘Finchy’,” O’Keeffe said in reference to recently-retired one-day captain Aaron Finch, who is still skippering the T20 team.
“They’ve also got a siege mentality after the criticism they received for their preparation.
“Tim David and Matt Wade will put teams away in the last 10 overs.”
Australia’s penchant for winning tournament-style competitions will also hold them in good stead, according to Jones.
“They have home ground and crowd advantage and have plenty of match winners,” she said.
READ MORE
Freak off-day injury strikes hosts as Aussie left bloody ahead of World Cup opener
Kohli snubbed as Aussies dominate in our predicted team of the T20 World Cup
How ‘hated’ star finally won over Australia.. and why it could solve 10-year cricket riddle
‘Just get off the field, you’re out!’ | 01:28
As for who Australia’s opponents will be in the final, England were the popular pick with three votes, while O’Keeffe backed South Africa to be runners-up.
When it came to the player of the tournament, our experts were completely split, with five nominations provided.
Border tipped England captain Jos Buttler, Haddin named Australia’s reigning final man of the match Mitch Marsh, O’Keeffe picked South African batsman Aiden Markram, Guha went with India’s KL Rahul and Jones backed Pakistani wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan.
But there was a lot more consensus regarding the prospective breakout star of the tournament with Haddin, O’Keeffe and Jones all predicting young England batsman Harry Brook to take out that honour.
TWENTY20 WORLD CUP EXPERT TIPS
Allan Border
Winner
England
Runner-up
India
Player of the tournament
Jos Buttler (England)
Breakout star
Mohammad Hasnain (Pakistan)
Brad Haddin
Winner
Australia
Runner-up
England
Player of the tournament
Mitch Marsh (Australia)
Breakout star
Harry Brook (England)
Kerry O’Keeffe
Winner
Australia
Runner-up
South Africa
Player of the tournament
Aiden Markram (South Africa)
Breakout star
Harry Brook (England)
Isa Guha
Winner
Australia
Runner-up
England
Player of the tournament
KL Rahul (India)
Breakout star
Suryakumar Yadav (India)
Mel Jones
Winner
Australia
Runner-up
England
Player of the tournament
Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)
Breakout star
Harry Brook (England)
