Defending champions and hosts Australia were outplayed by England in their final warm-up matches, but they remain favoured by the oddsmakers to lift the trophy.
This is the first time the tournament has been hosted Down Under after the 2021 edition took place in UAE and Oman.
The first round begins on 16th October with two teams from each group progressing to join the eight teams already confirmed in the Super 12.
Split into two groups of six, the top teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals, which are played in Sydney and Adelaide on 9th and 10th December.
Winner: England
T20 tournaments are difficult to predict.
Any team can hit form at the right time and go all the way. There is, however, a clear split between the top three and the rest with England, Australia and India all bunched together in the pre-tournament odds before a drop to South Africa, Pakistan, and New Zealand hovering around 8/1.
India disappointed last year, failing to make it out of the Super 12. Jasprit Bumrah’s injury significantly dents their chances. Australia are understandably given the shortest odds, but Glenn Maxwell’s poor form raises some questions about their firepower.
England are missing Jofra Archer, of course, yet their bowling attack has impressed against both Pakistan and Australia in the lead up to the competition. The batting line-up is loaded, capable of taking apart any team.
Crucially, England have bowling depth due to an array of all-rounders, and being able to mix it up could be very useful on pitches which favour the batters.
Even under new leadership, England represent the best value of the top three teams. South Africa and Pakistan are also a decent price thanks to their impressive bowling options.
Leading Wicket Taker: Adam Zampa
Only five active bowlers have more T20I wickets than Adam Zampa. The leg-spinner is also Australia’s all-time leading wicket taker in the format, and has a pivotal role to play for the hosts in this tournament.
While Zampa’s preparation for the tournament has been a bit up and down, he took a pair of wickets against England in the penultimate match and will be a wicket-taking threat throughout the middle overs for Australia.
With the Aussies possessing such a fearsome fast-bowling unit, teams will inevitably start slowly on occasion, forcing them to go after Zampa. An experienced campaigner with variations to bamboozle, the Shellharbour native is poised for a big tournament after taking 13 wickets in seven matches at the 2021 World Cup.
Top Run Scorer: Jos Buttler
Returning from injury for England’s quickfire series with Australia, Jos Buttler showed no signs of rust. Owner of a spectacular record with a strike rate well over 140 and an average just shy of 34 in his T20 career, Buttler scored two fifties against the Australians following up some scintillating performances in The Hundred.
There are plenty of players in contention to be the top run scorer at this tournament, but Buttler is clearly the pick of the bunch.
He has the opportunity to put up big scores now he’s opening the batting, and he should have an extra match or two with England expected to qualify from the Super 12.
All odds are subject to change