Group B Preview: Co-hosts' Big Opportunity at T20 World Cup
Sri Lanka and Australia aim to navigate a tricky Group B featuring rising teams.
Australia and co-hosts Sri Lanka aim to carefully navigate their way through a pool featuring teams on the rise. Here's how it all stacks up in Group B.
Group B Teams: Australia, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Oman
Group B Squads and Analysis:
Australia: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
Mitchell Marsh leads the team like he did two years ago when the Aussies' run ended in the Super Eight stage. Marsh was central to Australia's only title-winning run in 2021, when he smashed an unbeaten 77* in the Final against New Zealand. Their other pivotal pieces are fellow opener Travis Head, who is well regarded for his batting against spin bowling, all-rounder Cameron Green and the leg-spinning white ball specialist Adam Zampa.
Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Eshan Malinga
The co-hosts, captained by Dasun Shanaka, are capable of making a deep run on home soil. They have qualified for three previous T20 World Cup Finals, winning it in 2014. But they haven't been back in a decider since. Their batting stocks are deep, while they have numerous bowling options that could pose significant threat on grounds they've grown accustomed to over the years. Along with the key personnel, Sri Lanka will be relying on Kusal Mendis to score runs and pair Maheesha Pathirana and Dushmantha Chameera to contribute with the ball.
Zimbabwe: Sikandar Raza (c), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Bradley Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Brendan Taylor
Zimbabwe are back, after missing the 2024 edition of the T20 World Cup. They have form when it comes to causing upsets, beating Pakistan four years ago. Sikandar Raza leads the team, while well-known wicketkeeper Brendan Taylor is against present. But perhaps the most noteworthy member of this side is the young gun that helped them gain entry through the African Qualifier, Brian Bennett.
Ireland: Paul Stirling (c), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Harry Tector, Tim Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young
Ireland have been mainstays at the T20 World Cup for most of its existence. A surprise trip to the Super Eight stage isn't totally beyond them; back in 2022 they beat eventual champions England. Paul Stirling again leads the team, having featured at every previous World Cup that Ireland have featured.
Oman: Jatinder Singh (c), Vinayak Shukla, Mohammad Nadeem, Shakeel Ahmad, Hammad Mirza, Wasim Ali, Karan Sonavale, Shah Faisal, Nadeem Khan, Sufyan Mehmood, Jay Odedra, Shafiq Jan, Ashish Odedara, Jiten Ramanandi, Aamir Kaleem
Oman are one of the newer entrants to the T20 World Cup, ready to compete in this tournament for the fourth time. On their debut World Cup game back in 2016, they beat Ireland, adding great intrigue to the two nations' contest on February 14 in Colombo.
One Player to Watch: Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka) Nissanka was the 10th-fastest to 2000 runs in T20I cricket history and the Sri Lankan opener will be tasked with setting the tone for the co-hosts' batting innings. He averages a tick above 30, across 84 games, with a strike rate of 127.25 against all opponents. Nissanka will be hungry to aggressively take down opposition bowlers in conditions he'll be all-too familiar in.
