The first Test against the West Indies in Hobart has been so one-sided it left me time to consider Australia’s plight ahead of the upcoming World Twenty20. A lack of bowling options has them shaping as rank outsiders for that tournament.
News that pace superstar Mitchell Starc looks set to miss the World Cup due to surgery on his troublesome ankle is a savage blow to the hopes of the Australians in that tournament.
The tournament will be played in India where Australia’s paucity of quality short-form spinners will be a major hindrance.
Arguably the world’s most valuable short-form player, Starc could have given Australia a major edge with the new ball, helping to cover for this spin weakness to an extent.
Without him and fellow express pacemen Pat Cummins and Mitchell Johnson, Australia’s attack looks likely to be weak.
Winning a World Cup of either format without a robust bowling line-up is remarkably difficult.
Not only does Starc have a phenomenal T20 record of 123 wickets at an average of 17, but he has vast experience in Indian conditions thanks to the Indian Premier League.
It was Starc’s commanding bowling which drove Australia to World Cup glory on home turf earlier this year and in the T20 format he is even more crucial to them.
Unlike in the 50-over format, where Australia have been fairly consistent with their selections from series to series, the makeup of their T20 side has been very difficult to predict.
Every time they front up there seems to be at least one, and often several, new faces or left-field picks.
Cummins and Starc are the only two bowlers who have been automatic choices when fit and now both will be unavailable.
Cummins has been out of action since September due to stress fractures in his back. Initially it was hoped he would return in time for the World T20 in March but he was ruled out of that tournament last week.
Cummins’ fragile body has forced him to become something of a T20 specialist and his record for Australia is very good – 21 wickets at 19 from 15 matches.
His extreme pace and clever slower balls make him well suited to Indian conditions. Johnson, too, would have been a very handy player as a bowler who has extensive experience in India across all formats.
Although he hasn’t played a T20 match for Australia in several years, he has been heavily involved in the IPL and surely would have been in Australia’s squad were he available now for selection.
Australia now face having to go into the tournament with a very green attack. Which bowlers travel to India will be decided largely on performances in the upcoming Big Bash League.
It is impossible to predict at this point who will make up Australia’s bowling unit.
Of currently fit players, the only bowler with any degree of international experience is West Australian quick Nathan Coulter-Nile.
Having played plenty of matches in the IPL and impressed in his 24 limited overs matches for Australia, the right-armer could find himself entering the tournament as Australia’s spearhead.
Of Australia’s current pace attack, Josh Hazlewood and James Pattinson have played only four T20 matches apiece for Australia.
The selectors will have to hope they step up in the BBL so that Australia can go into the World T20 with an attack which is not largely foreign to the pressure of international cricket.
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