The captains have met, and Australia 2022 has been set. The 16 captains made history when they met for the first time at an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Melbourne.
The Captains’ Day event kicks off the eighth edition, which promises to keep more than a billion cricket fans around the world on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
Sri Lanka takes on Namibia in Group A of the First Round tomorrow at 15h00 local time at Geelong’s Kardinia Park Stadium. At 19h00 local time, the United Arab Emirates will face the Netherlands.
This is the first of 45 matches over 28 days, with the champions to be crowned on November 13 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Sri Lanka knows what it’s like to be on top of the T20 world, having won the title in 2014.
They will have to perform well from the start, battling for a Super 12 spot from the start, buoyed by a historic win in the Asia Cup.
Sri Lanka captain, Dasun Shanaka said: “After a very good Asia Cup, we are very confident. The environment is really good. We are well focused on our batting. As it is the early summer, the conditions will be somewhat different, so we are really focusing on that.
“Apart from that, I think the bowlers, they are really shaping up, so Chameera is back with us and Lahiru Kumara is back with us, so they are plus points coming from the Asia Cup.
“Yeah, it depends on the day. T20 cricket we never know who will be good, when. I think the better teams come out of the day with a win.”
Namibia made a big impression on their tournament debut in the UAE and Oman in 2021, advancing to the Super 12 stage.
With a stated goal of becoming the first team to retain the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Australia will be hoping for victory on home soil.
Aaron Finch’s team will kick off their Super 12 campaign with a rematch of last year’s final.
The exciting clash between New Zealand & Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground on 22 October is set to kick off the Super 12.
Their squad is loaded with experience, with middle-order dasher Tim David brings new life into the title defense.
Australia captain, Aaron Finch said: “Obviously you go into a World Cup knowing that the makeup of your 15 men is really important. It’s not just 11 players that win you a World Cup, it’s the contribution of all around. I feel as though we’ve got a really well balanced side. We’ve got some match winners all throughout the batting lineup and with the ball, as well.
“I think it’s just about trying to peak at the right time. There’s no point getting caught up with what we should be doing or shouldn’t be doing in the lead-up to the tournament. I think it’s important that everyone within the squad knows their roles and what role they’re most likely to play throughout the tournament, and we can tweak things here and there, but there’s a really good feeling in the squad.”
New Zealand has a strong track record at major ICC events. They have advanced to the finals of the last two ICC Men’s Cricket World Cups, finished third or higher in the last two ICC Men’s T20 World Cups, and won the inaugural World Test Championship.
New Zealand captain, Kane Williamson said: “We had a pretty memorable World Cup a few months back and played these guys in the final. It was a great game of cricket, and these sorts of tournaments are always pretty special to be a part of.
“Everybody has different tags and rankings that go up and down throughout the year, and I suppose they end up with different names. But you come here in tournament sport on any day, anything can happen, especially looking across all these teams with match winners throughout.”
To read our blog on “Emirates puts big hitters in the flying seat for the T20 World Cup,” click here
