Someone please explain to me how the selectors of Australia expect the side to win when they’ve picked a second rate XI.
“We’re taking the World T20 seriously,” they said. Why then is the selection table now just a name-dropping game? We’re missing Clint McKay, but beyond that, there is plenty of talent to pick from.
George Baily as captain? Admittedly he’s doing alright at the moment, but do we really expect him to be the inspirational leader for the next five years?
At least someone realised Glenn Maxwell and Xavier Doherty aren’t first choice T20 players and dropped them for game two.
But there are still proven performers left on the outer. A simple look at the statistics brings to light some very good players that are missing out.
Phil Hughes averages just shy of 52 in T20 cricket. I highly doubt however, that his name even gets a mention at the selection table.
Shaun Marsh, who was the inaugural leading run-scorer in the IPL, has a formidable T20 record, but his test form from nine months ago counts him out? Surely that doesn’t make sense.
Where is Aaron Finch? The man strikes at over 130 runs per 100 balls, averages in the mid 30s and isn’t worth consideration, despite having performed well in other appearances for Australia.
Onto the bowlers. How Mitchell Starc missed game one is beyond me. He was the leading wicket taker in this year’s FLT20 in England. He also took 4, 5, 0 and 4 wickets in his four appearances this tour. Why then wasn’t he the very first man picked?
Luckily the mistakes of game one were quickly rectified, as my next example was the bizarre exclusion of Brag Hogg from the series opener. He is the top wicket-taker in all T20 cricket in 2012. But we’ll just exclude him on a turning wicket in the UAE…
Why’ve we all of a sudden dropped ‘Hilfy’? 43 wickets from 33 matches and an economy of under seven. Let’s not include him either.
All-rounders now. Steve Smith had a fantastic IPL, but because he’s not a great Test match player we decide he can’t play for Australia? His batting is built for T20 cricket, he’s a brilliant fielder and believe it or not, he has the sixth best T20 bowling average of all Australian cricketers, ever.
Young Mitchell Marsh, the future of Australian cricket with a surprising wealth of T20 experience, and a solid record to boot, is also left out, even though he was part of Australia’s pre-season camp only a month ago.
Andrew McDonald was the leading run-scorer in last year’s English T20 tournament, bowls handy, tight overs and is also ignored…
Obviously we can’t include everyone I’ve just mentioned, but we can certainly build a squad around them.
My first XI for the world T20 in Sri Lanka.
1. Phillip Hughes
2. David Warner
3. Shaun Marsh
4. Shane Watson (c)
5. Michael Hussey
6. David Hussey
7. Matthew Wade (wk)
8. Patrick Cummins
9. Mitchell Starc
10. Brad Hogg
11. Clint McKay
Over to you Roarers. What’s your ideal XI and thoughts on mine?
Dixie
Roar Guru
Spot on, the selectors continue to think that the match is simply a shortened form of Tests or ODIs, and have missed the boat. 170 and building pressure doesn't beat good T20 teams any more. Completely agree with the mentality, the fact that Hughes (considered a slogger at Test level) isn't thought of is ridiculous. Steve Smith, Mitch Marsh, even Hopes/Henriques. Seems to me that unless Warner or Watson fires, Australia doesn't have the fire power to match teams with the slog: think Windies and Gayle, Pollard, Bravo and Smith.
lolly
Guest
Shaun Marsh has had a number of matches at international level in T20 and shown little so far. Even his brother had one real hit-out in his limited opportunities.
TheGenuineTailender
Roar Guru
An oversight on my part. Apologies. He'd definitely be part of my squad.
Sparks
Roar Rookie
The best team I have seen named. Although I would squeeze Mckay in somewhere....
Ads
Guest
Where's Birt?
Timmuh
Roar Guru
“We’re taking the World T20 seriously” Well, that's the first problem. T20 wasn't invented to be taken seriously.
jameswm
Guest
Agreed younger guys doing well in T20 domstically should get a look-in in extended squads, like Coulter-Nile and Faulkner.
Don Corleone
Guest
Agree wholeheartedly with Matt F...throw Aaron Finch into the mix aswell. This is the sort of team I'd like to see. 1. Finch 2. Warner 3. Watson (c) 4. Birt 5. MHussey 6. MMarsh 7. Maxwell 8. Wade (wk) 9. O'Keefe 10. Cummins 11. Starc
Matt F
Roar Guru
It's quite clear that the selectors have no idea how to pick the T20 side. Bailey was not only picked in the side, but as captain, despite having an awful BBL season. He had very good Shield and Ryobi Cup seasons but they have no relevance to T20 ability. Travis Birt and Mitch Marsh both had tremendous BBL seasons and should have been in the mix. I would try and have Steve Smith and/or Steve O'Keefe in the extended squad as well. Both have good T20 records and their all-round ability is a big plus in the format. Does anybody actually know how Doherty gets a run in the T20 squad? His record at both domestic and international level for T20 is woeful at best. He isn't even the best spinner in the Hurricanes side. Krejza was significantly better than Doherty in the last BBL. I quite like your starting XI. For the extended squad I would try and throw in some of the names that I've mentioned above (also throw in maybe Coulter-Nile and maybe Haddin as back-up keeper into the mix as well.) Obviously the squad limit means that you wouldn't be able to take all of them. The fact that the squad has already been named (with Doherty.....) makes all of this nothing more than a dream anyway.
Matt F
Roar Guru
That's just what I was going to say. The selectors have never played T20 cricket, and aren't up to speed the the nuances of the game and the captain and coach (though I assume Bailey takes over from Clarke as captain/selector for the T20 squad) are involved with the Test team during the BBL so don't get a chance to get a serious look at potential T20 players.
jameswm
Guest
Yeah you have to treat T20 differently, but the selectors haven't got that into their heads yet. No wonder, as their head is over 70. Test performances should count for absolutely zero. By the way nk you then left Steve Smith out of your team! I'd much rather that team.
josh
Guest
That would be a solid team. Not sure about Hogg in the team. There is enough T20 leagues in the world now, that it should be easy to pick a decent team. Yet the selectors seem to go down the Rugby Union line; oversea's performances don't count and only efforts in the Big Bash are noteworthy.