Australia Twenty20 prospects

Australia factbox for the Twenty20 World Cup opening at Lord's on Friday:

Australia factbox for the Twenty20 World Cup opening at Lord's on Friday:

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Strengths

Australia are ranked number one in the world in test cricket, have won the last three World Cups and are the holders of the Champions Trophy. They are one of the few cricketing countries to make money from the sport and they boast a seemingly endless production line of top-quality players.

Weaknesses

Among the last of the major cricket countries to embrace Twenty20 and have been reluctant to treat it any more seriously than a money-making novelty event. Test cricket remains the priority.

Key Player

David Warner is the only specialist Twenty20 player in the squad. An explosive left-handed opener, he blasted 89 from 43 balls in his Twenty20 debut against South Africa in January.

Odds 9/2

Squad

Ricky Ponting (Captain), Nathan Bracken, Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Peter Siddle, Andrew Symonds, David Warner, Shane Watson.