Finch hoping home support will help end Cup drought

Skipper Aaron Finch has urged Australian fans to repeat the surge of crowd support that highlighted his side’s victory in the 2015 ODI World Cup, saying next year’s T20 event on home soil represents a golden opportunity for the national men’s side to win their first ever title.

Today marks a year to go before the men’s T20 World Cup begins next October, where Australia will be seeking to finally win the 20-over title to go with their five one-day world crowns.

While the Australian women's team will be aiming for a fifth T20 title when their tournament starts at home in February, Finch and the Aussie men are desperate to claim their first.

"It’s the one global trophy that has eluded the men’s team so far and we won’t get a better opportunity than on home soil next year,” Finch said today as tickets for the men’s event went on sale.

"Anyone can beat anyone on their day in T20 cricket so it’s going to be exciting tournament that will have a number of teams believing they can win.

"We saw in 2015 how great the crowds were and we’re looking forward to seeing the whole country getting behind not just Australia but all the competing teams to create that atmosphere that only a World Cup can bring."

More than one million fans are expected to attend across the two events next year, which will be played in eight host cities and 13 venues around the country.

As is the case for the women’s tournament, tickets for the men’s T20 World Cup are on sale for just $20 for adults and $5 for children.

"We’ve worked really hard to make sure the event is accessibly priced,” said tournament CEO Nick Hockley, who also launched the tournament’s ‘Welcome to the Big Dance’ marketing campaign today.

"A family of two adults and two kids will be able to see both women’s and men’s World Cup cricket from just $50.

"T20 cricket by nature has a festival atmosphere and ‘The Big Dance’ is all about celebrating the cultures of the competing teams and setting the stage for a World Cup atmosphere that people can enjoy with friends and family."

Finch will lead the Australian side in six T20 matches - three against Sri Lanka and three against Pakistan - starting later this month, the first of 21 games leading up to the World Cup.

Tickets for both the men’s and women’s tournaments can be purchased at the official ICC T20 World Cup website, t20worldcup.com