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The scarcity of Twenty20 internationals is forcing Australian selectors into a tough balancing act between blooding players and producing a settled lineup for this year’s World Twenty20 in the West Indies.
The attempt by cricket officials not to kill off the sport’s golden goose has left Australia still trying to nail down their best lineup for the frenzied format of the game.
Australia have produced very modest results in Twenty20 compared to their performances in Test and one-day internationals in recent years.
And they now have only four more matches, starting on Sunday in Hobart against the West Indies, to establish a tried and tested side before the Caribbean tournament starting on April 30.
Australian coach Tim Nielsen said the brains trust was still working out how to provide opportunities for players but still ensure a degree of stability at the same time.
“In (an) ideal world, we’d like to give most of the squad one or two games, the four games we have just to ensure they get some cricket and they are part of the group,” Nielsen said.
“In the same breath we are pretty keen to get our heads around what our best team is and give them a good chance to play the role they may well play in that Twenty20 world champs.
“So it’s a little bit of juggling act, trying to expose some blokes and get them into the mix.
“We’ve got a couple of new blokes Daniel Christian and Travis Birt that haven’t played or have played only one game for Australia (respectively), so it would be nice for them to get a couple of games.
“It’s just a matter of if they fit in and what role they play in the XI we pick on any given day.
“So I think that maybe over the next two games you may see a little change, which I wouldn’t expect to be huge.”
Following the matches in Hobart and Sydney (Tuesday), Australia have two Twenty20 matches in New Zealand later this month.
Australia (from): Michael Clarke (capt), Cameron White (vice-capt), Travis Birt, Daniel Christian, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, David Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Marsh, Dirk Nannes, Steven Smith, Shaun Tait, David Warner, Shane Watson.
West Indies (from): Chris Gayle (capt), Narsingh Deonarine, Travis Dowlin, Wavell Hinds, Nikita Miller, Runako Morton, Brendan Nash, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Darren Sammy, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith, Gavin Tonge.
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