Mumbai - Aaron Finch's side beat Sri Lanka and Pakistan in recent back-to-back T20 series to go unbeaten in the format in 2019
Published: Tue 12 Nov 2019, 10:58 PM
Last updated: Wed 13 Nov 2019, 1:03 AM
The Twenty20 World Cup is the only major piece of silverware missing from Australia's trophy cabinet but the hosts are gearing up perfectly to end the drought next year, former wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist said.
Australia are the most successful side in the 50-over World Cup with five titles but are yet to taste success in the shortest format's showpiece event, which has been held six times since its inaugural edition in 2007.
Aaron Finch's side beat Sri Lanka and Pakistan in recent back-to-back T20 series to go unbeaten in the format in 2019 and Gilchrist said home conditions would make Australia hard to beat when the World Cup starts next October.
"I think they are really well-placed seeing how they've started the summer," Gilchrist said. "They'll love the conditions, they love the grounds, they're bigger grounds, they'll play them well.
"We got everyone available now, which is great. I think Australia is, probably for the first time ever, focusing on picking their best team regularly and not just for the World Cups. "
Australia won 2-0 in India in February before blanking Sri Lanka and the world's top-ranked T20 side Pakistan at home recently and they have scheduled plenty of matches in the shortest format before next year's tournament.
Gilchrist, who retired in 2008 after a glittering career spanning almost 12 years, said Australia had enough time to pin down their perfect combinations for the shortest format.
"I think they're probably still working out whether to use two spin bowlers or one spin bowler and a batting all-rounder like Mitch Marsh or (Marcus) Stoinis," he said after a promotional event in Mumbai.