Hussey: England not out of the running

Australia

Former Australia batsman Mike Hussey has tipped England to be the 'dark horse' side for the World Twenty20 title, saying the likes of coach Trevor Bayliss and skipper Eoin Morgan will be key to that goal.

England are not really tournament favourites, especially after a recent series defeat to South Africa, but Hussey thinks Bayliss and Morgan's experience in the IPL will be crucial if the side is to succeed.

Hussey, who played with Morgan at the Sydney Thunder, told The Daily Mail UK: "They (Morgan and Bayliss) are two guys who are going to keep things very calm.

"T20 cricket is high stress, high profile and high-octane and sometimes you can get carried away with that emotion whether things are going really well or poorly.

"You can really ride those huge waves and I think those two guys in the leadership roles will be very calm throughout the whole campaign.

"I definitely think they can win it. There’s so much talent and ability in that England squad."

Hussey went on to praise Morgan as a leader and a batsman, saying the former Ireland player had been a big influence with the Thunder two years ago, and is capable of match-winning knocks.

Mr Cricket added: "He was fantastic around the dressing-room, really tried to impart his knowledge and experience onto our younger guys, who really were hanging off every word he was saying.

"But then as a player I really loved watching him bat because you just don't know where he’s going to hit it.

"When he’s on song and firing he can be extremely destructive. He’s played some of the best T20 innings I've ever seen."

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