Australia are primed to break their World Twenty20 duck having picked their strongest ever squad for the tournament in Bangladesh, according to all-rounder Shane Watson.
The 32-year-old has been part of Australia’s four unsuccessful attempts to win the only major trophy eluding them and was adjudged player of the tournament in 2012 when his team went down to eventual winners West Indies in the semi-final.
Darren Lehmann, who guided domestic sides to Twenty20 league victories both in India and Australia, has since been appointed coach of the team, who will land in Bangladesh as one of the favourites.
“We’ve got the most balanced side and balanced squad I’ve ever been involved in,” Watson told reporters ahead of the second Twenty20 International against South Africa on Wednesdsay.
“We really do have firepower consistently all the way in our batting order, down to number 10 even.
“Bowling-wise we’ve got options, from high quality opening bowlers, to high quality death bowlers and high quality spinners.
“We have versatility. In all conditions, against any opposition we can match up really well.”
Australia will kick off their World Twenty20 campaign against 2009 champions Pakistan on March 23 at Mirpur’s Sher-e Bangla National Stadium.
Watson acknowledged the unpredictability of the Twenty20-over format but insisted there were enough players in his side who can single-handedly change the course of any match.
“Twenty20 cricket is certainly fickle, but if you have a lot of match-winners in your team then you’ve got more of a chance of it being someone’s day. We certainly got that in our squad for sure.”
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ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Rio de Janeiro from Dh7,000 return including taxes. Avianca fliles from Rio to Cusco via Lima from $399 (Dhxx) return including taxes.
The trip
From US$1,830 per deluxe cabin, twin share, for the one-night Spirit of the Water itinerary and US$4,630 per deluxe cabin for the Peruvian Highlands itinerary, inclusive of meals, and beverages. Surcharges apply for some excursions.
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Stage results
1. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) Deceuninck-QuickStep 4:39:05
2. Michael Matthews (AUS) Team BikeExchange 0:00:08
3. Primoz Roglic (SLV) Jumbo-Visma same time
4. Jack Haig (AUS) Bahrain Victorious s.t
5. Wilco Kelderman (NED) Bora-Hansgrohe s.t
6. Tadej Pogacar (SLV) UAE Team Emirates s.t
7. David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ s.t
8. Sergio Higuita Garcia (COL) EF Education-Nippo s.t
9. Bauke Mollema (NED) Trek-Segafredo s.t
10. Geraint Thomas (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers s.t
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The drill
Recharge as needed, says Mat Dryden: “We try to make it a rule that every two to three months, even if it’s for four days, we get away, get some time together, recharge, refresh.” The couple take an hour a day to check into their businesses and that’s it.
Stick to the schedule, says Mike Addo: “We have an entire wall known as ‘The Lab,’ covered with colour-coded Post-it notes dedicated to our joint weekly planner, content board, marketing strategy, trends, ideas and upcoming meetings.”
Be a team, suggests Addo: “When training together, you have to trust in each other’s abilities. Otherwise working out together very quickly becomes one person training the other.”
Pull your weight, says Thuymi Do: “To do what we do, there definitely can be no lazy member of the team.”
