T20 World Cup 2021, AUS vs SA Preview: Australia's Top Order In Focus Against In-Form South Africa

Australia will hope their lacklustre top order can fire from the word go when they open their T20 World Cup campaign against an under-the-radar South African side.

Australia will hope their lacklustre top order can fire from the word go when they open their T20 World Cup campaign against an under-the-radar South African side, playing without the usual burden of pressure, in a Super 12 Group 1 match in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Australia, who are searching for their maiden T20 title, enter the tournament on the back of a horrific run, losing bilateral series to Bangladesh, West Indies, New Zealand, India and England. Many first-choice team members skipped the recent white-ball tours, during which Australia managed just five wins and lost 13 matches.

Hence most of their players have had scant preparation. David Warner's form is a huge concern but the team is adamant the opener will turn things around.

His IPL form was woeful, he was dropped from the team for the second time this year after scores of 0 and 2 last month.

His troubled run continued in the two warm-up games where he scored 0 and 1.

Skipper Aaron Finch, who is coming off a knee surgery, is also short of match practice as is vice-captain Pat Cummins who hasn't played any cricket since the IPL's first leg in April.