Aussies shift attention to T20 World Cup

Australia coach Darren Lehmann says his side must start well at the Twenty20 World Cup if they're to finally win the cricket tournament.

Australia are the world's best cricket side in two formats but Darren Lehmann acknowledges there is much to be done if they're to win the Twenty20 World Cup.

Lehmann's men completed a 2-0 Test series win over New Zealand in Christchurch on Wednesday, securing the No.1 Test ranking.

The mastercoach has already turned his attention to the T20 World Cup, which starts in India next month.

It is the one major cricket tournament that Australia have never won.

Pooled with India, Pakistan and New Zealand and playing on the subcontinent, progressing to the knockout stage of the event will be a stern challenge for Australia.

Let alone winning the tournament.

"It's very good to be No.1 in Tests and one-dayers and we'd like to be there in T20," Lehmann said.

"But to do that we've got to start playing better than we have.

"The hardest thing over there is adapting to conditions really quickly.

"It's about starting the tournament well ... in any T20 competition if you start well you go a long way.

"You need to get off to a bit of a flyer, we didn't do that last time."

Australia's campaign starts with a match against NZ in Dharamsala on March 18.

They first head to South Africa for a three-match T20 series, designed to help both sides prepare for the World Cup.

Lehmann hopes curators at Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town try to replicate subcontinent conditions as best they can.

"Hopefully South Africa are thinking the same things and making the wickets as close to India as they possibly can," he said.

The 15-man squad departs on Sunday.

Batting coach Michael Di Venuto will help out in South Africa before linking up with English side Surrey.

Lehmann acknowledged Di Venuto's departure would be a big loss so close to the T20 World Cup.

"Everyone has to pick up, get the slack up and away we go again," he said.

"Are we going to miss him? Yeah but you'll miss everyone at some stage.

"Everyone moves on at some stage. The great thing for us is people are poaching our coaches and it's a great thing for him."


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Source: AAP



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