AUSTRALIA’S Head-Coach Justin Poole has said he’s confident of success in Guyana where the 2026 International Masters Cricket (IMC) will get cracking on Saturday at various venues across Guyana.
The tournament will climax October 31 with the grand finale at the National Stadium, Providence.
Poole made the disclosure on Wednesday at Police Sports Club ground Eve Leary, Georgetown where the Australians had their first net-session after arriving in the country on Tuesday night.
Poole stated that the guys are ready to go and very optimistic they can come out as the top team. Australia will face off with West Indies on Saturday at Providence in a Group A fixture.
“We trying to acclimatize yet but we [are] pretty confident of lifting the trophy; I expect great competition but we are prepared for challenges ahead at this World Cup,” Poole told the local Media.
In addition to West Indies and Australia, Group A comprising: Wales, Colombia, Canada, Namibia and defending champions South Africa. Poole also mentioned they have a practice game against a Group B team, the Rest of the Caribbean, tomorrow at the Lusignan Community Centre, East Coast Demerara and will be looking to maximize their effort ahead of the big-dance.
“Look, we are here to play competitive cricket; the guys have shown positive attitude towards this tournament but we have got to play good cricket from the beginning to the ending,” Poole commented.
Group B teams: New Zealand, England, Scotland, USA, India, Pakistan, Rest of the World X1 and Rest of the Caribbean. Sri Lanka have withdrawn from the tournament due to visas issues for several of their players.
Meanwhile, in 2024 at the inaugural Over-40s World Cup showpiece in Cape Town, South Africa, Australia were eliminated at the semi-final stage to the eventual winners, South Africa. (CWIMA Release)