New Zealand is the form team in all formats now. They won the first ever World Test Championship planning appropriately and executing clinically against firm favorites India in the one off final. 

They almost won the ICC ODI Championship 2019 at Lords only losing to the host England on tie breaker. They have a good enough team to be rated among the top favorites in the T20 world cup as well. It remains to be seen how well the adjust to UAE wickets and how they acclimatize with hot humid desert condition. Hope that them withdrawing from the series against Pakistan for last minutes security impacts would not have any impacts. Off course most players of their World Cup squad were not in the touring team. Most of the black caps would play for their respective franchise in IPL in UAE just before the tournament. That would give them good feel. 

Australia on the other end is in a different circumstance. Their team visiting West Indies and Bangladesh had nightmare experience.  The 4-1 drubbing against powerful West Indies could be justified to some extent. But 4-1 humiliation against Bangladesh must have rubbed the egos of the proud Australians. It may take a while to recover composure. The top players did not play major international matches for a while. However, like New Zealand players key Australian players would have exposure to climate and Conditions of UAE in IPL. 

New Zealand is grouped with Pakistan India, Afghanistan and possibly would be joined by Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Australia is grouped with West Indies, England, South Africa and may be joined by Scotland and Ireland.  While New Zealand has fair chance of finishing on top of the group Australia may struggle to qualify.

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Coaching Staff:

New Zealand at this moment possesses the most balanced bowling attack. Lockie Fergusson and Kayle Jamieson are express fast, Tim Southee and Trent Boult are the best combination if the wicket favours seam and atmosphere helps swing. Tod Astol and Ish Sodhi are good enough leg spinners; Michell Santner is a wicket taking left arm spinner. 

As far as batting is concerned Martin Guptil and Devon Conway can give explosive opening. Kane Williams is among the top three batsmen and at number three he can bind the innings together. Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Nisham are good enough middle order batsman. We think Ross would be missed in the middle order. Kayle Jamieson, Glen Philips in the late middle order may turn reasonable score to way above the reach of the opponents. This team has all weapons to reach the semi-final. But from there it would be like a lottery. The team that appears with A game on the day would go through.

Australia Squad: 
Aaron Finch (C), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins (VC), Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa
Reserve Players: Dan Christian, Daniel Sams, Nathan Ellis

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Australia though still is a formidable team in Test and ODI yet not a force to reckon with in T20. It is difficult to understand what let CA sending team to West Indies and Bangladesh with 7 of their top players resting at the same time. Losing 1-4 to West Indies and Bangladesh must not have served a good deal for the morale. Now with big guns all back in action team would have required some matches together for getting into top flight. It is not possible for even the top players delivering straightway after staying away for a while. Luckily some of them would appear in the IPL few days before the tournament. 

Teams in Australia groups West Indies, England, South Africa are far better prepared.  However, Australians play tough cricket. Players Like Aaron Flinch and David Warner can give flying start. There are only few better players in the world than Steve Smith at full flow. World Cricket knows how devastating Glen Maxwell can be at number four. Mitchell Marsh was the most consistent batsman of Australian team even on the tour to West Indies and Bangladesh. Mark Stoinis, Matthew Wade and even Pat Cummins and Mitchell Satrc can strike some hefty blows. But again, how quick the team can strike form being out of match practice for a while. There is enough quality in the bowling department. Cummins and Satrc are two of the top bowlers in world cricket now. Joss Hazelwood is a steady performer. Mitchell Marsh and Mark Stoinis are great back up options. Zampa and Ager are two spinning options with Swepson as the backup. None should ever rule out Australian team from any global tournament. But getting past West Indies, England and South Africa would not be easy for Australia. 

BDST: 1345 HRS, SEP 18, 2021
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