The Twenty20 World Cup in India is fast approaching and Australia has played all of their Twenty20 matches before the squad is announced in mid-February.
With many important players ruled out with injury, Australia must pick most of the squad based on their Big Bash form, and with the standard of cricket in the tournament high this season, Australia should be able to put together a very strong squad.
David Warner
Warner is one of the world’s best T20 players in the world and is an automatic pick.
Aaron Finch
Many questioned Finch’s position in the Australian side at the start of the Big Bash, however after averaging nearly 50 with the Renegades during the first half of the tournament and good performances in the ODI series, Finch has earned his spot.
Shane Watson
While Watson isn’t the best Test player in the world his T20 record is hard to argue against. He has dominated in the IPL for the past few years, so his experience will be invaluable. His century on Sunday night proved his value as Twenty20 player.
Steve Smith
Despite not playing much T20 cricket in Australia on account of him captaining the Australian Test and one-day side, Smith should be playing in the World T20 because of his superb performances in last year’s IPL.
George Bailey
Bailey was missed in the series against India, with Australia suffering batting collapses in the first two games. An experienced player like Bailey helps fix that problem.
Glenn Maxwell
The Big Show, along with Warner, is one of the best T20 players in the world and an automatic pick.
Tim Paine
Paine was the best wicketkeeper in this year’s Big Bash. He performed with the bat as an opener but should have no problem batting down the order if required. He was tidy with the gloves and even took what Adam Gilchrist described as the catch of the tournament.
James Faulkner
One of the best ‘death’ bowlers in the world, and the ability to finish with the bat makes Faulkner an automatic selection.
Andrew Tye
Since joining the Scorchers last season, Tye has been one of the best bowlers in the Big Bash, and has earned a spot in the Australian side.
Josh Hazlewood
Breaking into the Australian team in 2014, Hazlewood has excelled across all formats, and is Australia’s best non-injured fast bowler.
Nathan Lyon
Despite being restricted to Test cricket for the past few years, Lyon proved himself as a T20 bowler after taking a five-wicket haul against the Hobart Hurricanes early in the season. He is now Australia’s best spinner across all three formats.
Reserves
Usman Khawaja
At the start of the summer, Khawaja was no chance for the world T20. But after finishing second on the Big Bash run tally – despite playing only four games – and almost single-handedly taking the Thunder to their first Big Bash championship, Khawaja must go.
Mitchell Marsh
Many questioned Marsh’s ability with the bat, but his ODI hundred against India at the SCG proves he is good enough.
Clint McKay
The leading wicket-taker in the Big Bash deserves to be picked.
Cameron Boyce
Bowled well in the Big Bash and against India, should go as the second spinner.
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