The Australian World T20 selectors on tour, Mark Waugh and Darren Lehmann, dropped Mitchell Marsh and John Hastings for Aaron Finch and Josh Hazlewood before the Australians beat Pakistan by 21 runs last night to stay alive in the tournament.
The team has been in disarray from the outset with the original selection of four recognised opening batsmen in the 15-man squad.
As a result, David Warner, one of the most devastating openers in any format, has been shuffled between batting four or three in the three games to date.
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A tragic waste of talent, mirrored by his low scores of six, 17, and nine.
Last night the Australians were in a fair bit of bother at 3-57 off 7.2 overs, but skipper Steve Smith and a more responsible Glenn Maxwell added 62 off 38 deliveries, before Smith and Shane Watson put together an unbeaten 74 off 38 to give the Australians a tough to chase 4-193.
Paceman James Faulkner’s 5-27 off four was not only the best Australian figures of all time in a T20 international, but he was on a hat-trick twice on his way to the man of the match award.
The find has been leggie Adam Zampa with his 5-58 off nine in the three games. Not only are they outstanding figures, but it’s the calibre of high quality batsmen he’s sent packing – Bangladesh’s Mohammad Mithun, Shakib Al Hasan, and Shuvagata Hom, plus Pakistanis Shahib Afridi and Umar Akmal.
On the opposite side of the coin, paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile has played all three games to be wicketless for 99 off 12 overs.
So the Australian line-up to meet India on Sunday in a sudden-death clash to make the semis with group winner New Zealand is taking shape.
Warner must be reinstated as opener with Finch as the most successful pair in recent years.
Khawaja must be selected, but at three where he bats in the Test side, forcing skipper Smith to four where he bats in the Test order, Glenn Maxwell at five, and Watson at six.
That’s where the game against India will be won or lost. Those six must score around 145 runs between them off 15 overs, and trust the tail of Faulkner, John Hastings, Peter Nevill, Zampa and Hazlewood can club 40-plus runs off the final five overs.
That means Hastings comes in for Coulter-Nile as the more accurate bowler, a better batsman, and a safe fieldsman.
Then the best Australian side possible will be on duty for the first time.
At last.
barry
Guest
Do you ever stop talking sh@t Ajay jeeze dont no wat your on
TC123
Guest
And the team is in complete disarray when they lose. Maybe the opposition is occasionally better at times? No that's not possible
anon
Guest
"I think those that are uncomfortable with khawaja in the side will find any reason to pick on him and i simply ignore it now" IMO, deep down a lot of people don't like him because of his colour and parents ethnicity. Google the follow: Darren Lehmann Sri Lanka 2003 black racial. You'll see what Khawaja is up against inside and outside the dressing room.
Tom from Perth
Guest
Succinct as always Don.
Amith
Guest
You are right on khawaja anon, he is the standout batsman for australia and i am still gobsmacked when i see guys critise him despite his form not only in the big bash but this world cup too. His fieliding is fine and he didn't make any mistakes or dropped catches this world cup but somehow this is picked on. I think those that are uncomfortable with khawaja in the side will find any reason to pick on him and i simply ignore it now
Bee bee
Guest
It seems to be that T20 is evolving that you need a balanced batting line up as much as you need a balanced bowling unit. Smith is surrounded by hitters, someone needs to be a grafter who pushes for two and turns the strike over. Smith has to play the long game if required.
anon
Guest
Probably for the same reason why they wouldn't select him for the Australian team despite his amazing form....
anon
Guest
Poor Khawaja still can't do anything right. Is it because he doesn't look like the rest of the Australian team (apart from Coulter-Nile). Khawaja is the only consistent performer in the side and has been a devastating opener all summer and now in the World Cup. Khawaja has claimed that spot as his own. Although 3 isn't ideal for Finch, when push comes to shove I'd rather Warner opening than Finch. The fact they're both lefties is irrelevant really. Another case of Aussie selectors over-thinking things. Smith finally contributed, but he still can't find that easy power that the likes of Watson, Maxwell, Khawaja, Finch possess. I can't imagine Smith ever having a better T20 innings than he played against Pakistan. All those dinky cuts and deflections were finding their way to the boundary on the quick outfield. It was only after he built a nice score that he gave himself the freedom to swing for the fences. Watson showed his worth again. The Aussie T20 are really going to miss him. A genuine match winner.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
That's a good side Lordy, like it !
bigmick01
Guest
Best possible side - in India - has Starc and Boyce in it. NCN moves out as does a batsman or possibly even Hazlewood. Selectors need an upper cut - given how well Zamps is playing - Boyce would have killed it.
danno
Guest
Warner and Finch should be the openers. Khawaja at 3. Khawaja must make ten runs every game because he gives that up in the field. Agar being picked over Boyce & Lyon was a disgrace.
Danger Mouse
Guest
Only time the Aussie selectors get it right is when Aus wins.
Amith
Guest
Well he is not pathetic but he is not number 1, kohli is the number 1 batsman without a doubt in this format
Amith
Guest
Well said Praveen, to add to it. Finch had a strike rate less then a 100 when khawaj tried to hit the yorker for 4, his slow batting was putting khawaja under pressure, finch gets out as usual to spin so he needs to work on this. Khawaja is the only batsman till last nights game who had been our backbone and what was pleasing was to see some other batsman stand up once khawaja got out ie smith, watson, maxwell, good signs for the aussies
Amith
Guest
Leave our best batsman in khawaja to open, he is a master opener in T20
Amith
Guest
Look i won't put finch down, he is number 1 for a reason, but he does have issues with the bowl moving away from him and needs to work on it similar to how khawaja worked on his game and came back a world class player. Lovely innings from Smith, nice and calm from one end so Maxwell and Watson could hammer it.Perry weren't you picking on smith last week and now you are on khawaja's case, we get it you like finch but you could pick on a better guy to pick on then khawaja who is our best bat in the WC. Khawaja took 90% of the strike of Amir, had finch faced him he would have stuggled worse. Khawaja got through and becaues finch was batting so slowly(less then a 100 strike rate when khawaja got out) khawaja had to take a risk to hit the yorker for a four.
Amith
Guest
Agreed on keeping khawaja at opener, he has probably been among the best openers in the tournament
Praveen
Guest
Khawaja got 21 off 15 balls snd finch 15 off 15 balls and yet it was Khawaja who was unsettled, finch got out on the first ball of spin yet he somehow looked good according to you, do I need to say more, I want both in the team yet you last week picked on smith to fit finch in and now that smith got a 50 you now pick on Khawaja who is our leading run getter this tournament, who will you pick on next, maybe Warner
Praveen
Guest
David Khawaja has been phenomenal in the power plays , why change that
Rtp
Guest
It isn't that simple. By playing the reverse sweep at semi regular intervals he forces changes in the field and the lines of the bowlers. This makes it easier and safer to play the more conventional shots. He will always be a mixture of spectacular and ugly but the ultimate arbiter is the results.