How will Australia fare in World T20?
Columnist By Kersi Meher-Homji, 19 Sep 2012 Kersi Meher-Homji is a Roar Expert
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- Australian Cricket, Cricket Australia, ICC, ICC World Twenty20, Twenty20
Australia national cricket team's players look on as England players celebrate. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS
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A few days ago it looked like a joke: Australia being ranked no. 10 in Twenty20 internationals after Bangladesh and Ireland.
Thanks to their victory over Pakistan in the final T20 match in Dubai on 10 September, they have crawled back to the ninth rank, ahead of Ireland but still behind Bangladesh!
What has gone wrong with Australian cricket to be ranked beneath minnows? From heroes to zeroes?
Even if T20 is a lottery form of cricket still this fall from grace is beyond comprehension.
In the last ICC World T20, Australia had made it to the final losing to England by seven wickets at Barbados in May 2010. So from number two in the world to number nine within two years is a huge slide.
Who are to blame, the selectors, the players, the new captain George Bailey? Have we become too meek and mild? Has the infrequency of sledging turned us from ferocious winners into gentlemanly losers?
Past is past. Let’s see whether the once mighty Aussies regain their air of invincibility by winning the ICC World T20 which commenced in Sri Lanka yesterday.
Who will win World T20 2012 is difficult to predict as anything can happen in this form of cricket where sixes are many but maidens few.
Today [19 September] Australia meets Ireland, the giant killers, and on Saturday the fourth seeded West Indies. One win and the Aussies can make it to the Super-8 stage. Potentially, Australia can beat Ireland. But as the Irishmen have nothing to lose, they will go full steam ahead as if there was no Super-8.
The Irish all-rounder Kevin O’Brien wrote his name into Irish cricketing lore with a magical innings against England during the 2011 World Cup in Bangalore last March. Entering the fray with his team in a hopeless position chasing an impossible win target of 327, he smashed a 50-ball century – the fastest in World Cup history – to set up an incredible three-wicket victory.
So beware of O, O, O, O’Brien, Aussies!
And the Windies have an efficient off-spinner in Sunil Narine. Of late Aussie bats have shown weakness to off-spinners like Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal.
Not to forget, Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard can destroy any attack with their hurricane hitting and towering sixes. Also in Darren Sammy they have an astute captain.
Aussie squad: George Bailey (capt), Shane Watson (vice-capt), Daniel Christian, Pat Cummins, Xavier Doherty, Brad Hogg, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Clint McKay, Glen Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade (wk), David Warner and Cameron White.
Let’s have a look at Australia’s strengths and weaknesses. Despite having experienced players like Mike Hussey and Shane Watson, why go for a new face George Bailey to lead the team? And Bailey is not even a youngster, being 30.
Australia’s strengths: In Warner, Wade and Watson, they have three strong openers who can hit and run. Mike Hussey can keep one end steady as the others Christian and White thrash the opposing attack.
I see merit in fast-medium bowler Clint McKay and all-rounder Glen Maxwell.
Australia’s weaknesses: They needed someone like Steven Smith to hit in over numbers 18 to 20. The bowling looks weak. Oh for Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle to keep the batsmen in check! Even if they may not be fully feet, they have to bowl only four overs each. I saw Pat Cummins bowl the all important over after the second T20 match was tied and he was pathetic bowling short balls and toffees to Pakistan bats.
And imagine recalling Brad Hogg, aged over 41!
Australia will reach the Super-8 stage but then on it could be anyone’s Cup. My prediction? South Africa, England or the West Indies.
Kersi is an author of 13 cricket books including The Waugh Twins, Cricket's Great All-rounders,Six Appeal and Nervous Nineties. He writes regularly for Inside Cricket and other publications. He has recently finished his new book on Cricket's Conflicts and Controversies, with a foreword by Greg Chappell.
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September 19th 2012 @ 2:31am
Johnno said | September 19th 2012 @ 2:31am | Report comment
There not going to win that’s for sure no chance. Irleand is now better at T20 than Asutralia. They are ranked higher than the aussies. We are now out of the top tier T20 nations and to me are now a 2nd tier T20 cricket nation. When the likes of Irleand are ahead of us. So much for the argus review, and Micky Arthurs so called top level coaching ability. heck it never got this bad even with teflon Tim
September 19th 2012 @ 11:09am
The Bush said | September 19th 2012 @ 11:09am | Report comment
“Irleand is now better at T20 than Asutralia. They are ranked higher than the aussies.”
Do you even read the articles before commenting. It is clearly stated that we are:
Thanks to their victory over Pakistan in the final T20 match in Dubai on 10 September, they have crawled back to the ninth rank, ahead of Ireland but still behind Bangladesh!
Just to support the fact that we are: http://www.espncricinfo.com/rankings/content/current/page/211271.html
In any event, the fact anyone would be worried about it makes no sense. The Article even points out how stupid this form of cricket is when it comes to assessing teams abilities. How can we be in the final two (2) years ago, but now be ranked where we are, if not for the fact that it is a big hit and miss joke – anyone can beat anyone on any given day.
September 19th 2012 @ 2:44am
Lolly said | September 19th 2012 @ 2:44am | Report comment
With the Shield having started today, I’m only grateful that hardly any WA players were picked. Good luck to the Aussie team and all but I prefer following the domestic T20 crapshoots to this bi-annual version.
September 19th 2012 @ 9:54am
Matt F said | September 19th 2012 @ 9:54am | Report comment
Loking at the scorecard from yesterday I can see why those WA batsmen weren’t picked! Mitch Marsh had a good day though.
It’s good to see that the early start that NSW and WA have to the domestic season is allowing Michael Clarke to play some domestic cricket. It’s a shame the national team players don’t get the chance more often.
September 20th 2012 @ 12:12am
lolly said | September 20th 2012 @ 12:12am | Report comment
I mostly meant Mitch Marsh! I want to see him develop batting so was really pleased that he wasn’t in the picture. We all know he can smash it around, but the committment and discipline needed for first class cricket/test cricket he won’t learn at that T20 bunfight.
Mike Hussey won’t destroy his technique not at his age, BUT he may go into the SA test series with no first class matches for warm-up due to Champion’s League commitments and the World T20. That’s wrong.
It’s a treat having Clarke play state cricket. If only he could play more.
September 19th 2012 @ 7:25am
rsingi said | September 19th 2012 @ 7:25am | Report comment
David Hussey being dropped is a disgrace. Cameron White is a passenger. Warner and Mike Hussey will have to dominate the tournament for us to go deep.
September 19th 2012 @ 12:40pm
GrantOz said | September 19th 2012 @ 12:40pm | Report comment
Cameron White, for me, has had a bigger fall from grace than any other cricketer in recent years
September 20th 2012 @ 12:19am
lolly said | September 20th 2012 @ 12:19am | Report comment
Two poor years at international level mean David Hussey is a fair choice to drop. I’m not arguing for White or Bailey to stay in the team though. Bailey has some ground to make up.
September 19th 2012 @ 7:33am
Kersi Meher-Homji said | September 19th 2012 @ 7:33am | Report comment
Johnno,
It’s a little consolation but Australia is ranked ahead of Ireland in T20. How long, I don’t know.
But in this form of lottery cricket, Australia can surprise higher-ranked countries by entering the semi-final.
Wish we had Philip Hughes in the team. With Warner he could have given Australia a rip-roaring start.
September 19th 2012 @ 8:01am
formeropenside said | September 19th 2012 @ 8:01am | Report comment
But 20/20 is a joke. Its like the Justin Bieber of cricket.
September 19th 2012 @ 8:04am
sheek said | September 19th 2012 @ 8:04am | Report comment
Hi Kersi,
This is a fundamental problem with cricket today – in order to popularize the game with more countries, the game is being dumbed down via T20.
Moderately talented countries can compete better where there is more of a gamble in the result.
A similar thing is happening with rugby 7s, which will appear in the 2016 Olympics.
The shorter the format, the more the result is given to chance, & the less requirement to fundamentals other than basic skills of hitting, running, bowling, catching, fielding, etc.
However, the finer techniques of the longer game, for a batsman building an innings, or a bowler outsmarting a batter, isn’t required.
Similarly in rugby 7s, it’s about fitness, speed, strength. The finer points of scrummaging, mauling, correct running lines, building the play, etc, isn’t so critical.
Not so long ago, just before T20 burst on the scene, there was discussion about reducing 50 overs aside to 40 overs aside, to ensure more closer contents. T20 ensures this even more.
What we are witnessing is more & more entertainment, but is it cricket…..? (Not as we knew it, Mr. Spock).
September 19th 2012 @ 8:54am
Brett McKay said | September 19th 2012 @ 8:54am | Report comment
Sheek I completely disagree with that – the fundamentals of the game are still required to win T20 games. You still need to bowl in the right areas, and at the right pace, you still need to be able craft singles, two, boundaries from where they might not necessarily be on offer, and you probably need to field even better than in longer forms of the game.
Batsmen need to not only stay in, but accelerate their scoring rates when required. That requires not just skill, but game-management and concentrarion. Bowlers absolutely need to be able to outsmart batsmen – that’s why spinners and medium-pacers have come back into vogue so much in T20 in recent years. What started out as a batsman’s game has most definitely swung the other way.
Remember back a while I wrote about ignoring the result? That still applies; ignore the result, and the skills emerge in their own right..
September 19th 2012 @ 9:47am
sheek said | September 19th 2012 @ 9:47am | Report comment
G’day Brett,
I did take note of what you said previously, & this summer, if I can bring myself to watch a whole game of T20, I will follow your suggestions.
For the moment, we’ll have to agree to disagree with some aspects of the discussion.
I’m conscious of not becoming a parody of my father’s generation. I came across across a quote the other day, researching 1971 (for perhaps a Souths 1st GF appearance in 41 years), which made me both laugh & cringe.
In early 1971, Australia & England the first officially recognised one day international at the MCG. England manager Alec Bedser was not a fan of the format. Said he, “You don’t learn the game by plonking sixes.”
“Heck”, I chuckled to myself, “there’s a bit more to it than that.” So I’m very wary of not going down the same path. I want to analyse T20 properly before making a definitve judgement.
But I do believe cricket is in a conscious crisis, as it decides which of its many forms is the best route for the future. It might be ideal to have them all, but practically, one form or another will have to give.
September 19th 2012 @ 9:56am
Brett McKay said | September 19th 2012 @ 9:56am | Report comment
Let me make this observation then Sheek:
Australia’s general apathy toward Twenty20 currently – and just look at comments like “20/20 is a joke” and “who cares?” today – almost exactly mirrors India’s apathy toward T20 heading into the first T20WC in 2007.
And what happened next? Yuvraj Singh hit six 6s in an over, India won the tournament, and within weeks the ICL/IPL arguement started. And look how that turned out.
I’ll bet you you all the beer you can drink at the next free Roar event
that Australia’s attitude toward T20 will change if as soon as we/they win a WC…
September 19th 2012 @ 10:06am
Matt F said | September 19th 2012 @ 10:06am | Report comment
Looking at the crowds for the BBL, and the crowds for the International T20′s over the summer I’d say Australia already has positive attitude to T20 cricket. Though I’m not sure if they/we take it seriously or just like the entertainment.
Looking at the general reception to the tri-series last summer you’d have to think that ODI’s will be the format that will lose out in the future, at least in Australia. You’ll still have ODI’s played but there will probably be fewer ODI’s and more T20′s. It could be different in each country though.
September 19th 2012 @ 10:16am
Brett McKay said | September 19th 2012 @ 10:16am | Report comment
Matt, I can still see one-dayers being shortened to 40 overs myself, I just think that’s where the game is heading..
September 19th 2012 @ 10:28am
Matt F said | September 19th 2012 @ 10:28am | Report comment
It wouldn’t surprise me at all if that did happen. Those middle overs can be seriously painful to watch at times and they’ve been unsuccesfully trying to liven that period up for years. The next step is probably to follow England’s lead and reduce it down to 40 per side.
September 19th 2012 @ 9:21pm
sheek said | September 19th 2012 @ 9:21pm | Report comment
Brett,
It’s a bet I won’t take. I might not like T20 myself, but I’m not silly. I can smell the wind, & it tells me T20 will win out over test cricket eventually.
I don’t like it, but I think that’s the reality.
And oh Kersi, Australia to beat Ireland, of course…..
September 19th 2012 @ 3:15pm
Russ said | September 19th 2012 @ 3:15pm | Report comment
Sheek, I’d add something else. I’m not convinced T20 is more prone to upsets, and I base that on watching the results of games between the various international sides at all levels pretty closely. In theory less time to play makes T20 more luck prone, but in practice it hasn’t been the case. Scoring quickly, and in all areas of the ground, or being harder to score off because of either with great deception, pace or accuracy, makes the best players stand out much more clearly in T20.
Most of the out and out minnow upsets in ODI cricket occur in low scoring encounters where the better side collapses and can’t dislodge the weaker side as they grind to victory. But the minnows lack the fire-power to instigate a catastrophic collapse in a T20 game, and the game is just long enough that a blazing cameo isn’t by itself enough to win most encounters. T20 results between top-8 sides can be random, but that is because the teams are pretty even, not because it is short.
That said, Australia might still lose to Ireland tonight. But if they do, it will be because Dockrell is a better spinner than any we have, Stirling the equal of any of our bats; and Kevin O’Brien a more dangerous hitter than anyone in our lower order. Hoping for a good game, anyway.
September 19th 2012 @ 9:16pm
sheek said | September 19th 2012 @ 9:16pm | Report comment
Guys,
Sorry for not responding today. Was out for most of it at my daughter’s graduation from high school – yippee, no more school fees…..
September 19th 2012 @ 1:31pm
Chop said | September 19th 2012 @ 1:31pm | Report comment
Sheek I completely agree with you.
I can appreciate the skills involved and that it will bring potential new fans to cricket but I don’t think it should be played at the international level. I think that is giving the version to much credability.
I will probably watch some of the big bash but I don’t think the international level deserves to be dumbed down to the T20 level.
September 19th 2012 @ 8:24am
Kersi Meher-Homji said | September 19th 2012 @ 8:24am | Report comment
You said it, Sheek. Hit it right on the head.
September 19th 2012 @ 8:47am
Brett McKay said | September 19th 2012 @ 8:47am | Report comment
Kersi, a big part of the ranking problem is to do with with Australia plummeting out of the last T20WC at the pool stage, which meant they were never going to be seeded higher than 9th going into this year’s tournament. Likewise, losses in one-off games (there’s rarely more one or two T20 matches in a series) meant that Australia’s already mid-table ranking sunk further.
Personally, I still think there’s too much reliance and assumption that guys can play three forms of the game, when in reality, T20 is a game made for specialists – and probably allrounders at that. Realistically, a T20 side only needs a couple of specialist bats, two genuine quicks, and the gaps are filled with allrounders. In SL, this T20WC will won by the side who best takes the pace off the ball, so perhaps only one quick is needed. Reckkon I’d be finding room for David Hussey in there somewhere too, for this very reason.
I’ve got no problem with Brad Hogg being recalled, either, but it’s a sad indictment on Australia’s spin ranks that he’s still one of the better T20 bowlers in the country.
September 19th 2012 @ 9:07am
Matt F said | September 19th 2012 @ 9:07am | Report comment
Actually Brett we made the final of the last tournament. We went out during the group stage in the previous tournament.
I fully agree with you regarding T20 specialists. The sooner we (ie the selectors) realise this the sooner we’ll get our ranking back above Bangladesh!
September 19th 2012 @ 9:15am
Brett McKay said | September 19th 2012 @ 9:15am | Report comment
ha, you’re right Matt, and this probably proves everyone’s point about how much T20 is played!! Forehead slap applied…
September 19th 2012 @ 9:14am
Happy Hooker said | September 19th 2012 @ 9:14am | Report comment
Kersi, I’m tempted to say “who cares?”
September 19th 2012 @ 10:20am
Sailosi said | September 19th 2012 @ 10:20am | Report comment
The skills required for 20/20 are every bit if not more necessary than the longer forms of the game. Weaknesses in 20/20 are exposed immediately. If your a batsmen who is poor on the legside you have the ability in the longer forms of the game to be selective and wait for deliveries that you can score from. If your poor on the legside in 20/20 and are wasting run scoring opportunities then you have the option of trying to rectify this or you simply don’t get selected.
Poor fielding can’t be tolerated in 20/20, for all of Patrick Patterson’s fire and brimstone he would have been very quickly found out in 20/20 snoozing on the fine leg fence.
Bowlers also must have the ability to bowl a variety of different lines and lengths. If your a back of a length bowler and find it hard to pitch up and be effective and accurate than your are going to be cannon fodder in 20/20. There’s not the option of settling into a rhythm and a consistent line and length like in the longer forms.
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