Australia favourites for T20 World Cup title

The question is which one of these teams stands a realistic chance of actually beating Australia?

The ICC women's T20 World Cup is due to begin in Australia on 21 February with Australia taking on India in Sydney. This year's T20 World Cup will feature ten teams from; Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the West Indies. The Australian women's cricket team is the top-ranked side in all formats of cricket. However, in T20s, their dominance is less commanding. The Cricket-Betting.in odds show Australia at 1.50 with England and India next best at 5’s. The question is which one of these teams stands a realistic chance of actually beating Australia?

Australian all-rounder, Ellyse Perry, believes pace bowling will play a significant impact in the T20 World Cup. Of course, she would say this because Perry and her partner in crime, Tayla Vlaeminck, destroyed India in the recent tri-series final, taking 7/26 between them. A large number of matches is the T20 World Cup will be at quicker pictures like WACA, Manuka Oval, the SCG, and MCG. Of course, this means sides relying on spin bowlers may struggle in Australian conditions. Advantage Australia!

However, other sides are featuring quick bowlers who may trouble the Australian batters. New Zealand speedster, Lea Tahuhu, is among the fastest bowlers on the women's international circuit and is back in the squad and ready to unleash in Australia. She picked up six wickets for Canterbury at the Super Smash 2019-20. It’s not just the quicks enjoying the Aussie conditions. India slow left-arm orthodox bowler, Rajeshwari Gayakwad collected 10 wickets in five matches in the recent tri-series held in Australia. She was the highest wicket-taker in the series and looked a real threat. Ably backed back by Deepti Sharma, India has two bowlers with the potential to beat anyone including Australia.

On the batting front, there is some stand out batswomen who could spell trouble for Australia. Smriti Mandhana, from India, had an outstanding tri-series recently in Australia and ended up as the leading run-scorer. She has 71 T20 internationals under her belt and is going into the World Cup in form. In fact, in the last two years, Mandhana is the leading T20I run-scorer with 1243 runs from 42 innings - well ahead of Australia's Alyssa Healy. Mandhana is a great option for taking a punt at an online Cricket Betting site, like bet365, on being the leading run scorer of the tournament. India also have Harmanpreet Kaur in their batting ranks. She averages 28 in T20s and on her day could cause trouble.

New Zealand has two players in Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates with exceptional T20 credentials. In Devine's 87 match career she is averaging a highly respectable 31 runs at a strike rate of 128. Suzie Bates with 115 T20 matches under her belt also averages 31 at a strike rate over 112. In the England camp, Danni Wyatt and Tammy Beaumont are the most likely top run-scorers for England.

Of the squads able to challenge Australia, India seem to have the batting and bowling firepower. Having said that it's worth noting in the past two years Australia has only lost four matches out of 31 whereas India has lost 17 matches from 45 attempts. Australia is the overwhelming favourites at 1.5 odds to win the tournament; for a good reason. The squad is powerful in all departments, and the tournament is being held in Australia which gives them a significant advantage. Out of the sides potentially able to beat Australia in a semi-final or final India seem the most likely.