Amran Chakraborty
(Reuters) – Australia are bidding to become the first team to win three cricket world titles simultaneously but their success would be even greater if next month's T20 World Cup helps them tap into the lucrative United States market.
Australia won three consecutive One-Day World Cups between 1999 and 2007 and, given their remarkable success in recent global competitions, they are close to repeating that 'golden era'.
Under manager Pat Cummins, they won the World Test Championship title and the One-Day World Cup last year, beating a formidable India side in both finals.
The onus is on Mitchell Marsh to lead Australia back to success and become world champions in all three formats of the game.
Of course, it's not easy.
India has not won a world title in more than a decade, despite dominating the business side of football and coming close to winning twice last year.
It doesn't sit well with fans that, despite running the world's richest T20 league, they have yet to win a 20-over World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 2007.
This will likely be the last limited-overs World Cup for captain Rohit Sharma and faithful Virat Kohli, and nothing would please fans more than seeing them take a victory lap in Bridgetown on June 29.
England's 50-over title defence collapsed in India last year and the team will be doing all they can to prevent another collapse, which could have serious implications for the futures of captain Jos Buttler and coach Matthew Mott.
Speedster Jofra Archer has made multiple failed attempts to return after back and elbow injuries, while Test captain Ben Stokes has withdrawn.
Other challengers
Pakistan are also on the list of favourites, having brought back Babar Azam as captain and appointed Gary Kirsten as coach, with the pair aiming to win a second T20 World Cup.
South Africa arrive with an abundance of power hitters but seemingly much less resourceful bowlers, while New Zealand, under the brilliant leadership of Kane Williamson, are determined to shed the “near-all-rounders” label.
Co-hosts West Indies will also be favourites to win the tournament having handed over the reins to Darren Sammy, who led the team to two T20 World Cup victories.
The ninth tournament will feature a record 20 teams, including the United States, which will be co-hosting the tournament and making its World Cup debut.
The United States is scheduled to host 16 matches, including a big one between India and Pakistan on June 9, at the new 34,000-seat Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on Long Island, New York.
The launch of Major League Cricket in the United States last year generated much buzz, while the Los Angeles 2028 Games will see the T20 format featured at the Olympics for the first time.
If the 20-team tournament is a success, it will go a long way in cementing cricket's place in a sports world dominated by baseball, basketball, ice hockey and American football.
(Reporting by Amran Chakraborty in New Delhi; Editing by Prita Sarkar)
