What Pakistan, Australia and Zimbabwe stand to gain from the upcoming T20I tri-series

Australia

The Australian team, just six months ago, was well on its way for excellent pre-World cup readiness, following a stellar home season. They had pummeled England in the Ashes and after losing in the ODI series by a convincing margin; they promptly redeemed themselves to grasp the Trans-Tasman T20 tri-series title by overwhelming the Kiwis in the final at Auckland’s Eden Park.

Not much has gone their way since then, thanks partly to the appalling ball-tampering saga that shook and scarred Australian Cricket. Warner and Smith have been suspended for a year, leaving the team in absolute disarray.

The fragility that surrounded this team was as palpable on their recent tour to England, as it had ever been. They were trounced in all the games they contested. The batting lacked agility and intent, the bowling had a dearth of disciplined aggression. To further add to their woes, they were at the receiving end of conceding the highest ever ODI total at the hands of the ruthless Englishmen. They are yet to win a match in any of the formats since the ball-tampering controversy.

Before departing for Zimbabwe, the Australian team is in tatters and will be itching to leave a mark and scribble down the beginning of a much-awaited revival. Gentle, slow pitches in Zimbabwe should allow them to settle down a bit unlike the flat tracks in England. It’s a formidable challenge that awaits them and Aaron Finch would want his men to be equal to the task and rekindle some glory in a traumatized cricketing nation.

Squad: Aaron Finch, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Billy Stanlake, D’Arcy Short, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Andrew Tye, Jack Wildermuth