Australia has brushed off pre-tournament doubters to qualify for the semi-finals at the T20 World Cup.
Four wins coupled with one blemish against England saw the Aussies finish second in Group 1 with veteran opener David Warner catching fire with the bat, hitting an unbeaten 89 against the West Indies to take his tournament tally to 189 runs at an average of 46.
Leg-spinner Adam Zampa has been Australia’s chief destroyer with the ball, taking 11 wickets at an economy rate of 5.73, while pacemen Josh Hazelwood (eight wickets) and Mitchell Starc (seven) have impressed up front.
Captain Aaron Finch’s confidence in Australia’s squad never wavered.
“It went from us being too old and Warner’s past it and Finch’s past it and we’ve got to start getting young players in, to now we’re a really experienced side,” Finch told SEN’s Whateley.
“It’s amazing how the narrative changes really quickly.
“Everyone had written us off before the tournament. Internally we’ve always had a lot of confidence in the group that we’ve got here, the depth that we’ve got.
“It means a lot to be in a position to win tournaments and that’s what you play for.
“Personally, I don’t play for individual performances – I’d much rather get a duck and win than a hundred and lose.”
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Australia will look to play “brave” cricket when they meet undefeated Pakistan in Dubai on Friday morning (AEDT) for a spot in the T20 World Cup final.
“You’ve got to be brave; you’ve got to take the game to the opposition,” Finch said.
“I don’t think you can sit back and allow an opportunity to present itself. I think you have to go and chase that.
“Whether that’s with bat or ball, I think you have to look to maximise any small advantage you have and be ultra-positive.”
Australia has never won a T20 World Cup in six attempts.