Australia is all set to take on the Champions Trophy without their key fast bowlers, but their impressive record in ICC competitions makes them a strong contender to reach the semifinals from Group B, alongside South Africa. However, they’ll face stiff competition from England and Afghanistan. So, let’s take a closer look at the teams in Group B.
Australia has a reputation for handling pressure in big tournaments, which is evident from their six World Cup titles, one T20 World Cup win, and two Champions Trophy victories. This makes them a formidable team in limited-overs cricket. Their batting lineup is incredibly strong, with players like Steve Smith, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Marnus Labuschagne, and Glenn Maxwell capable of turning the game around in any situation.
However, Australia will be without their top three fast bowlers – Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc – which will undoubtedly weaken their attack. This means their batsmen will have to take on additional responsibility. Despite this, Australia has a great opportunity to dominate the 50-over format, and their players are skilled at adapting to different game situations. Their past record will also serve as a motivator for them.
On the other hand, Australia’s recent 0-2 loss to Sri Lanka in a two-match ODI series is a concern, and the poor form of Labuschagne and McGurk will be a worry for the team.
South Africa
South Africa, like India, has a diverse set of players. They have batsmen like Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram who can build innings, as well as aggressive batsmen like Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller. Their bowling unit, led by fast bowler Kagiso Rabada and spinner Keshav Maharaj, is well-balanced and capable of handling different conditions.
However, South Africa’s inability to win crucial matches, including a recent loss to Pakistan, which prevented them from making it to the finals of a tri-series, is a concern. The absence of injured fast bowler Enrick Norkia will also be felt.
South Africa has a chance to overcome their poor record in important matches, but they’ll need to perform better with the ball, especially after failing to defend a target of over 350 against Pakistan recently. Australia and Afghanistan could pose a threat to their ambitions, and the team will need to step up their game to succeed.
England and Afghanistan
England and Afghanistan can also make it to the semifinals, but their recent form puts them behind in the competition. Afghanistan is entering the Champions Trophy without sufficient ODI match practice, while England’s batsmen struggled against spinners in their recent series against India, losing all three matches. Except for Root and Butler, none of England’s batsmen looked comfortable against spin bowling.