LISA STHALEKAR: Alyssa Healy leads a star-studded squad featuring Ellyse Perry in the ICC T20 World Cup

There is little time left before the Australian side prepares for the first cricket match of the ICC T20 World Cup in the UAE.

“Didn’t they have one?” I hear you say. Yes, this was the men’s World Cup, whereas this was the women’s World Cup and our team is the best in the business.

Seizing an unprecedented fourth consecutive title would be a feat no other cricket team has achieved at this level.

The Australian women’s cricket team has already won six out of a possible eight matches.

Legendary swimmer and commentator Ian Thorpe asked during Olympic coverage: “I don’t think there has been a more dominant Australian team in any sport, in any code. “Please let me know if there is any,” she said, describing the gold medal performance of our Australian women’s 4x100m relay team.

It has certainly sparked controversy, with many people across the country offering alternatives. Even Australian captain Alyssa Healy, who is not afraid to speak her mind, quoted rugby sevens player Charlotte Caslick as saying “to get the attention they have to win gold…” She added: “People expect us (the Australian Women’s Cricket Team) to always win.”

This expectation of winning is what the team truly believes in, and finishing second never enters their mind. This side has a unique ability to win in every situation. Internal expectation is an integral part of elite sport, but what makes a team a champion is its ability to cope with external pressure.

There is a good mix of youth and experience as a team; While Ellyse Perry has played in all eight T20 World Cups, Phoebe Litchfield will play in her first ICC event. With the change in leadership following Meg Lanning’s shocking announcement, Healy will be officiating at an ICC event for the first time.

Australia have a squad full of depth and are spoiled for choice. Healy is spoiled for choice when it comes to the all-round cast, with no less than six in Tahlia McGrath, Perry, Ash Gardner, Georgia Wareham, Annabel Sutherland and Sophie Molineux.

Sutherland, who batted as low as nine in the last Hundred competition held in England, was named player of the series.

To progress to the final stages of the tournament, Australia will need to survive the “Group of Death” which includes India, New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Australia’s record against each of these countries is strong, but everything needs to come together perfectly in a tournament-style competition where T20 games narrow the gap between each team’s skill level.

India have really challenged and pushed the Aussies in global tournaments and are also the only team to beat Australia in recent times. Despite losing the last T20I series to Australia 3-0 in Queensland, New Zealand could make it work on the strength of Sophie Devine (Perth Scorchers) and Amelia Kerr (Sydney Sixers).

So let’s not forget Sri Lanka, who have managed to topple many top teams in the last 18 months and become Asian Cup champions.

The only other team that could challenge the Australians are the other two winners of this tournament, England (2009) and West Indies (2016).

England have been improving well over the last 12 months and, like Australia, have a great mix of youth and experience; some of their players play regularly in the Women’s Big Bash League.

West Indies, on the other hand, similar to the men’s side, are built for the shortest format where their strength and athleticism are on full display.

Don’t get me wrong, this is no ordinary misery for Australians. In conditions alien to them, heat and humidity above 40 degrees will challenge the fittest players and the fact the Aussies carry a few niggles could inform crucial matches.

The last person to die giggling was Litchfield, who was suffering from groin pain.

He is an important cog in the batting line-up as he provides a point of difference as the only left-handed batsman in the middle order.

Grace Harris suffered a calf injury but has not played for the green and gold since April and continues to progress with her return-to-play plan.

When these players are ready to be selected, the nightmare of selecting the starting 11 can be one of the hardest things to do, as it is in this style of tournament.

The Australians very rarely switch sides unless there is a need to physically scout a player or a different plan against a particular opponent.

One thing is for sure, our Australian team will play an exciting brand of cricket and look to expand its dynasty by pioneering the next generation of players.