Colombo, February 10 Their recent form has been far from convincing, and the loss of two key pacers has only added to Australia's woes. However, the former champions will still start as overwhelming favorites in their T20 World Cup opener against Ireland here on Wednesday.
Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood form one of the most potent fast-bowling units in modern cricket, and Australia will miss their services in this tournament.
While Cummins and Hazlewood were ruled out due to injuries, left-arm pacer Starc has retired from international cricket.
In their absence, Nathan Ellis is expected to lead the pace attack, but even he is carrying an injury and has not played since missing the Big Bash League (BBL) final due to a hamstring issue.
Seasoned leg-spinner Adam Zampa is entering the tournament after overcoming a groin issue, which has allowed him to be available for the group stage.
Considering the conditions across the sub-continent, Zampa will be crucial to Australia's chances in the tournament, which they last won in 2022. The team lost in the semifinals of the last edition to India.
While leading the spin attack, the experienced Zampa will look to form a fruitful partnership with fellow off-spinners Cooper Connolly and Matt Kuhnemann, as all four of the team's group stage matches will be played in Sri Lanka.
While the bowling unit undoubtedly looks depleted compared to their past attacks, Australia have the necessary firepower in batting, and the team also features a long list of all-rounders who can trouble most sides on their day.
Australian selector George Bailey had said that they had the luxury of focusing on a player group likely to handle the conditions in India and Sri Lanka with aplomb, even as several players came into the tournament under a fitness cloud.
Their batting core remains largely the same, with Travis Head, captain Mitchell Marsh, and Glenn Maxwell supported by the likes of Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, and Marcus Stoinis.
Australia haven't won any of their past five completed matches, suffering a 0-3 defeat against Pakistan with a depleted squad, though they lost to tournament favorites India 1-2 at home last year.
A good start against Ireland could go a long way in ensuring their performance in the group stage.
Led by Paul Stirling, Ireland will have a tough task against the Aussies after slipping to a 20-run defeat against tournament co-hosts Sri Lanka in their Group B opener.
Ireland played well in patches against Sri Lanka, but against Australia, they will have to do much more to stand a chance.
As many as 12 members of the 15 Irish players announced for the mega event also featured in its previous edition, with new additions such as Tim Tector, Ben Calitz, and Matthew Humphreys.
This will be Ireland's ninth appearance at the marquee tournament, with their best performance coming in 2009 and 2022 when they made the second round, defeating former champions West Indies and England.
Ireland will certainly take inspiration from those results as they prepare for a massive match.
Teams:
Australia: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.
Ireland: Paul Stirling (c), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Harry Tector, Tim Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young.
Match starts at 7 pm IST.
