LISA STHALEKAR: Alyssa Healy leads a star-studded line-up featuring Ellyse Perry at the ICC T20 World Cup

It isn’t long until the Australian side gears up for their first cricket match of the ICC T20 World Cup in the UAE.

“Didn’t they just have one?” I hear you say. Yes, that was the men’s World Cup, whereas this one is for the women, and our team is the best in the business.

Going for an unprecedented fourth title in a row, it would be an accomplishment no other cricket team has achieved at this level.

The Australian women’s cricket team have already won the title six out of a possible eight occasions.

Legendary swimmer and commentator, Ian Thorpe during the Olympics coverage posed the question, “I don’t think there is a more dominant Australian team in any code, any sport. Please tell me if there is one,” when describing the gold medal performance by our Australian women’s 4x100m relay team.

It certainly sparked debate around the country with plenty of people providing alternatives. Even the Australian skipper, Alyssa Healy, who isn’t shy in providing her opinion, quoted rugby sevens player, Charlotte Caslick’s “to get some attention they’ve [got] to win gold…” and further added, “People expect us (The Australian Women’s Cricket team) to win all the time.”

This expectation of winning is what the squad truly believes and coming second never enters their minds. This side has a unique ability to win in any situation. Internal expectation is part and parcel of elite sport, but the ability to cope with the external pressure is what makes a champion team.

As a squad, there is a nice blend of youth and experience, with Ellyse Perry having played in all of the eight T20 World Cups while Phoebe Litchfield will be playing her first ICC event. With a change in leadership after the shock announcement of Meg Lanning, Healy will be in charge for the first time in an ICC event.

Australia possesses a squad full of depth and are spoilt for choice. Healy is spoilt for choice when it comes to allrounders with no less than six at her disposal, Tahlia McGrath, Perry, Ash Gardner, Georgia Wareham, Annabel Sutherland and Sophie Molineux.

Sutherland batted as low as nine for Australia, however in the recent Hundred competition she was named player of the tournament for her all round performance.

To progress to the final stages of the tournament, Australia will have to survive the “Group of Death” that includes India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Australia’s record against each of these countries is strong, however in a tournament style competition, where the T20 games narrows the gap between the skill level of each team, everything has to come together perfectly.

India have really challenged and pushed the Aussies in global tournaments and are also the only side in recent times to have beaten Australia. New Zealand, despite losing their recent T20I series to Australia in Queensland 3-0, may just click with the power of Sophie Devine (Perth Scorchers) and Amelia Kerr (Sydney Sixers).

Then let us not forget Sri Lanka who have managed to take down a number of higher ranked teams over the last 18 months and are the Asia Cup champions.

The only other team that could challenge the Australians are the two other winners of this tournament, England (2009) and West Indies (2016).

England have been building nicely for the last 12 months and like Australia have a great blend of youth and experience, with a number of their players playing regularly in the Women’s Big Bash League.

As for the West Indies, akin to their male side, are built for the shortest format with their power and athleticism on full display.

Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t a lay down misère for the Aussies. In conditions foreign to them, the 40+ degree heat and humidity, it will challenge the fittest of players and the fact that the Australians are carrying a few niggles could be telling in crucial matches.

The latest to go down with a niggle is Litchfield with groin soreness.

She is an important cog in the batting line up as she provides a point of difference being the only left-handed batter in the middle order.

Grace Harris is carrying a calf injury but has not featured for the green and gold since April and is still progressing on her return to play plan.

Once those players are available for selection, the nightmare of choosing the starting eleven may be one of the hardest things to do, as is the case in this style of tournament.

The Australians very rarely change their side unless there is a need to look after a player from a physical point of view or a distinct plan against a certain opposition.

One thing that is for sure is that our Australian team will play an exciting brand of cricket and look to extend their dynasty as they usher in the next generation of players.