Brad Hodge believes Australia’s rivals will be sweating on the prospect of meeting his side in the coming Twenty20 World Cup.
Hodge underlined Australia’s batting depth in the recent T20 clash with South Africa in Durban, where he was batting at No.6 but flayed two sixes in the final over to seal a five-wicket win.
Australia have posted four T20 wins on the trot and will make it five if they triumph in the match at Centurion that starts at 3am AEDT on Saturday.
It is handy momentum to take into the World Cup in Bangladesh next week and 39-year-old Hodge believes other teams would have taken note.
“I would think that everyone looking at this Australian side would definitely be a little bit concerned when they come up against us,” Hodge said.
“With the firepower with the ball and the hitting artillery … we’ve got most bases covered.
“There’ll be a few teams worrying about us, instead of us worrying about others.
“But conditions will determine how people go, I don’t think you can sum up who’s going to be a threat until you’re over there.”
Proteas coach Russell Domingo identified Australia as being one of many genuine contenders at the tournament.
“It’s probably going to be one of the more open competitions,” Domingo said.
“I think there’s seven or eight teams that have a real chance of winning it. All the top Test-playing nations are very much in the mix.
“It’s hard to pick out one or two particular sides, they’re all very competitive and on their day can turn it on.”
South Africa captain Faf du Plessis described Australia as a “really dangerous side”.
David Miller, who ran out George Bailey in the match at Durban, suggested his side’s T20 battles with Australia would be an ideal tune-up for Bangladesh.
“Definitely. They’re on a high as a team,” hard-hitting batsman Miller said.
“For us to have this before the World Cup, we couldn’t ask for better competition.”
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