I reckon Australia will lift the trophy: Graeme Swann

Former England off-spinner Graeme Swann has placed his bet on Australia as the team to watch out for at the ICC World T20 in India. The Australian are placed in a tough group alongside hosts India, New Zealand, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Swann says that Australia’s batting firepower is the best among all the participating team and feels that that their only weakness could be the uncertainty about how their bowlers would perform in the sub-continental conditions.

“No team has more brutal batting power,” Swann wrote in The Sun. “The likes of Glenn Maxwell, David Warner, Shane Watson and Aaron Finch are all match-winners.

“There are question marks about their bowling in sub-continental conditions. The brilliant Mitchell Starc is injured and they have no top-quality spinner but their savagery with the willow and T20 experience via the IPL and Big Bash more than compensates.

Australia has not won the World T20 from five attempts and it remains the only major tournament to elude them. Swann also had an interesting comparison to make while asserting that the Australians will definitely win the trophy.

“Australia is like Germany in football. Nobody really likes them but they are always there. This time, I reckon they will lift the trophy.”

Also, just like many cricket pundits, Swann did not neglect India’s chances and nominated the hot favorites as one of the main contenders to lift the trophy, stating that their spin attack led by Ravichandran Ashwin and batting star Virat Kohli will be their vital men.

While he doesn’t believe England will win the tournament, he praised their aggressive nature and says star all-rounder Ben Stokes “could be one of the sensations of the tournament”.

The Super 10s stage gets begins tonight when India go head to head against New Zealand in Nagpur whereas Australia begin their campaign against the Trans Tasman rivals in Dharamshala on Friday.

Surprisingly, the off-spinner heavily criticised the return of Pakistan fast-bowler Mohammad Amir, who made his comeback to international cricket this year following the 5 years ban for spot-fixing.

The left arm fast bowler has generated plenty of news due to his rippling performances for Pakistan at the recent Asia Cup.

But Swann, who played in the Lord’s Test where the Amir was found guilty of fixing against England in 2010, has different views and cites that his return to the professional cricket will send a wrong message.

“I played in that game at Lord’s and I’m not a fan of his coming back. Cricket could have done more to deter match-fixing and, by letting him play again, it sends out the message that players can get involved in corruption, serve a ban and return when still young men. Amir is only 23. But he is undeniably a talented bowler and an important component in Pakistan’s mercurial team.”