3 Teams that can give tough fight to England in T20 World Cup 2020

England may not be ICC’s No.1 ranked T20I team, but when it comes to firepower, very teams could match them. Eoin Morgan has taken charge of the unit with dignity and has made them a brute force. The Brits are placed third with 265 points, five points shy of top-ranked Pakistan.

On the backs of their ruthless batting, England are set to enter the T20 World Cup in Australia as a powerhouse. Their bowling has come under the pump. However, the batters have made life easier for the Three Lions.

England are fresh from a 2-1 victory over South Africa and again, it was their batsmen, who stepped up. Though they are tough to beat, Morgan’s men aren’t invincible by any stretch of the imagination. There are teams, who could make them sweat during the tournament later this year.

In the article, let’s take a look at three teams who can challenge England in the T20 World Cup: –

1. Australia

After the 2019 World Cup, Australia have won five out of their six T20Is in Australia. The one game where the Aussies couldn’t get over was the called-off affair against Pakistan at the SCG. Chasing 119 in 15 overs, the hosts were 41/0 in 3.1 overs before rain had the last laugh.

In the other matches, the hosts mauled the visiting teams. Australia is one team that can bring England down on their knees. History speaks for the Aussies. Out of eight matches, Australia beat the Brits seven times. Even in the game they lost, the Three Lions got over by one wicket in the last ball.

Though Aaron Finch’s men are yet to win the T20 World Cup, they are being deemed as one of the favourites, bearing in mind their authority at home. Australia are also one point behind top-ranked Pakistan, who have 270 points.

2. South Africa

South Africa have had their travails ever since the World Cup. The focus has constantly been on Faf du Plessis, who eventually resigned as the skipper of the national team. Quinton de Kock was the T20I skipper in the away series against India and in the recently concluded series versus England.

Albeit the home team couldn’t win the three-game series, they made the Three Lions huff and puff. After Lungi Ngidi’s heroics at the East London, the Proteas faltered at the death in Durban. In Centurion, the hosts churned out 222 runs before going down.

South Africa’s T20 World Cup squad is likely to be stronger, especially in the bowling department. The likes of Imran Tahir and Kagiso Rabada didn’t play the last series and England could be in for a tougher challenge in the mega event.

3. New Zealand

New Zealand haven’t had the rub of the green going their way since the final of the 2019 World Cup where they lost to England in the Super Over. The curse of the one-over eliminator haunted them in the T20 format as well as the Brits got past them in the series decider at the Eden Park in Auckland.

In the series against India, in Hamilton and Wellington, the Kiwis lost back-to-back Super Overs. Even in the final T20I, the Black Caps lost after dominating for most part of the contest. In this series, they didn’t possess Lockie Ferguson and Trent Boult, two of their gun bowlers.

Despite that, India had to work out of their skins to succeed. New Zealand would be hoping for the duo to go out full throttle in the T20 World Cup. With them in the attack, the Kiwis can pose a serious threat to the English batting lineup.