The Australian cricket team, led by Aaron Finch is one of the title contenders of the T20 World Cup. The defending champions boast some of the finest bowlers and fielders, and they also have an added advantage of playing at home. They are placed in Group 1 along with New ZealandEnglandAfghanistan, winner Group A and runner-up Group B. They begin their title defence on October 22, when they face New Zealand at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney.

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Here is the SWOT analysis of the Australian cricket team:

Strengths: A team with an experienced core 

The Australian team consists of T20 veterans, most of them with experience of dealing with the pressure of playing in the World Cup. In fact, the defending champions have the same squad as the last WC, with the exception of Singapore-born finisher Tim David, who replaced Mitchell Swepson. Although he is playing his first World Cup, the batter has played in major T20 leagues all around the world and also the Hundred. So, many players in the squad not only have the experience of playing in the World Cup, but also winning the tournament.

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Weakness: Loss of form going into the World Cup

The Australian started the year with a bang, winning three series on the trot. However, since then it has played three T20I series and lost two of them. One of them was away in India, and the other came at home vs England. The team also lost the warm up match against India, by six runs. This may be a worrying sign for the Aussies who begin their title defence against New Zealand on October 22. 

Opportunities: The first team to defend their T20 World Cup title

Australia have a very realistic chance of being the first team ever to defend their T20 World Cup title. Not only do they have a better team now, boasting the world’s best bowling lineup and in form specialist finishers; they are also playing at home. No other team would be as familiar with the pitch and weather conditions as the Australian cricket team, and with many match winners like David Warner and Pat Cummins, they can really go all the way to the title. 

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Threats: A tough group consisting of England and New Zealand

Australia is placed in Group A, which also consists of England and New Zealand. Both the teams are ranked above the hosts in ICC Men’s T20 team rankings, with England in the second spot, New Zealand in the fifth spot. Australia is just below New Zealand, on the sixth spot. They might face a greater threat from England in group stages than New Zealand. England just won a T20I series against Australia in Australia, while New Zealand was all out for 98 against South Africa in a warm up match.

Also playing at home is a double edged sword. So, the Aussies will also have the pressure of performing well before the home fans, who would want the team to lift the T20 World Cup trophy for the first team on Australian soil.