"If the pitches play very slow, they can be trapped" - Aakash Chopra on Australia's weakness heading into 2024 T20 World Cup clash vs England

Aakash Chopra reckons Australia can be trapped if they get to play on extremely slow pitches in the 2024 T20 World Cup. However, he acknowledged that Mitchell Marsh and company are a formidable unit otherwise.

The Aussies will face England in a Group B game in Bridgetown, Barbados, on Saturday, June 8. They started their campaign with a slightly unconvincing 39-run win over Oman at the same venue three days ago.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra opined that Australia could come unstuck if they encounter sticky pitches in the 2024 T20 World Cup, including in the game against England.

"Only one thing seems to be a weakness. If the pitches play very slow, they can be trapped. The opposing captain in the last match also said the same thing, that they don't have the technique for slow pitches. If the ball sticks a little on the pitch in Bridgetown, Barbados, or the later pitches, they might get slightly stuck," he said (3:00).

The former India opener added that lack of depth in Australia's spin-bowling department could also prove to be their stumbling block on such surfaces.

"A big weakness other than that is not seen. If the ball is sticking, their own lack of spin - Ashton Agar and Maxi (Glenn Maxwell), they might not have spin of that quality," Chopra observed.

Adam Zampa, who picked up two wickets against Oman, is the only specialist spinner in Australia's squad. While bowling all-rounder Ashton Agar is unlikely to figure in their preferred playing XI, Glenn Maxwell can bowl a few effective overs of spin.

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"It looks like a proper T20 squad" - Aakash Chopra on Australia's strength

Australia have a plethora of all-rounders in their squad.

On the flip side, Aakash Chopra noted that Australia have a well-rounded side for the shortest format.

"What is this team's strength? It looks like a proper T20 squad. When you see Australia, you say everything is right. The fast bowling is looking good and you get two spin options in Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa. Maxi does a bit of spin bowling," he said in the same video (2:15).

The cricketer-turned-commentator reckons multiple all-round options and an attacking batting lineup are the Aussies' biggest strengths.

"Luxury of all-rounders is this team's huge strength as they have Maxwell, (Marcus) Stoinis, Cameron Green and the captain Mitchell Marsh. The batting order is also such, from Travis Head to Tim David, if he plays, that if they want to flex their muscles a little, everyone has the ability to keep hitting and make it a laundry bay," Chopra elaborated.

Chopra pointed out that the 2024 T20 World Cup presents a great opportunity for Australia as they failed to qualify for the semi-finals in the last edition at home. He concluded by saying that the 2021 T20 World Cup champions are a gun side and picked them as the likely winners against England.