T20 World Cup 2022: Michael Bevan picks top 3 favourites, says Australia can win successive titles

Former Australia batter Michael Bevan picked India, England and Australia as his top favourites for T20 World Cup 2022 while adding that the defending champions, led by Aaron Finch, can go the distance once again. Australia will host the T20 World Cup from October 16 and the ICC showpiece event set to be more competitive than ever with teams peaking in the lead-up to it.

Michael Bevan said he hopes that it clicks for Australia at home like it did for Finch's team in the UAE last year. Australia were not among the favourites when they headed into the World Cup last year but they punched their weight to win the title.

England, on the other hand, will head into the World Cup on the back of a 4-3 T20I series victory in Pakistan. Despite missing key players, including their captain Jos Buttler, England were able to beat Pakistan in Pakistan in a hard-fought series.

India defeated world champions Australia and South Africa in the T20I series at home in the lead-up to the World Cup, putting behind the disappointment of failing to reach the Asia Cup 2022 finals.

"I reckon I would have to say India, England and Australia. I think that the pick of the teams at the moment are probably India and England. But Australia have some amazing players, some super talented players and, when it clicks for them, it clicks and they are plenty good enough to take off (win) consecutive World Cups," Bevan said in Sydney, as quoted by news agency AP.

"And, given the home ground advantage (for Australia), it should help a little bit as well. I think they would have to be my top three at this stage, I think."

Meanwhile, former Sri Lanka all-rounder Russell Arnold talked up Sri Lanka's chances, saying the Asia Cup victory should have been a huge boost in confidence for Dasun Shanaka's men.

Sri Lanka did not seal an automatic berth and they will play Round 1 to try and qualify for Super 12.

"The fact that they (Sri Lanka) won the Asia Cup and, over the last two or three months, they have played some amazing cricket. A lot of people have loved the type of cricket they have been playing.

"So they will be a handful for anyone, and if they (Sri Lanka's opponents) are not careful, they (Sri Lanka) will trip (up) one of the more-fancied oppositions. I think, quietly, there is a good chance that they can do that - be silent about it (go under the radar)," Arnold said.