Mighty Australia go into their home Twenty20 World Cup this week as overwhelming favourites as they look to cement their superiority in women’s cricket and draw a world-record crowd in the process.
Meg Lanning’s defending champions, and four-time winners, were rarely tested through the second half of 2019 when they whitewashed an injury-ravaged West Indies and a developing Sri Lanka team in the short format.
Giving a glimmer of hope to their rivals, they surprisingly slumped to defeat against major rivals India and England this month, before rallying to win the warm-up tri-series.
“To be put under pressure like this heading into a World Cup is extremely good preparation,” Lanning insisted.
Despite the recent losses, Australia are widely expected to contest the March 8 final at the Melbourne Cricket Crowd, where organisers are hoping to draw a world-record attendance for a women’s sporting fixture.
The cavernous MCG holds 100,000 fans, while the record stands at 90,185 for the 1999 football World Cup final when the United States beat China on penalties in Pasadena, California.
It is hard to look past Australia — who are paid as much as the men’s national team, and play domestic T20 cricket in the popular Women’s Big Bash League — as one of the potential finalists.
Along with Lanning, Australia boasts wicketkeeper-batswoman Alyssa Healy, all-rounder Ellyse Perry and bowling sensation Jess Jonassen, all among the world’s best.
They have been dominant since the World Cup was introduced 11 years ago, winning four of the six tournaments so far and crushing England by eight wickets in the 2018 final in the West Indies.