Picking mythical teams for the Twenty20 format isn’t really a thing.
However, considering I’ve spent a lot of time writing on Australia’s T20 history for much of this year, it somehow seems more appealing.
I’ve decided to pick a mythical team for the novelty era of T20 cricket – the period between 2005 and 2007, before the first World T20 Cup.
Of course, an actual mythical team on merit would just be to insert the one-day team of that time.
But that would be a lot less fun.
Adam Gilchrist is in the team because I loved watching him bat. However, given he took a wicket with his only ball in the IPL, he must give up the gloves in my team.
Damien Martyn produced an innings of cricket porn in January 2006, so he finds a place in the XI.
Brad Hodge was the best T20 player in this time even though he wasn’t in the Australian team.
Ricky Ponting batted himself at four, almost in a tacit acknowledgement that Hodge was the best T20 batsman Australia had.
John Howard would have loved to play for Australia, so he can play. Since he loved being the top guy – and T20 international cricket was never really Ponting’s bag – Howard is the captain.
Additionally, he is my wicket-keeper, as I must hide him somewhere. Despite this, he is also one of my designated bowlers, as the most-viewed long-hop in the history of cricket testifies that a wicket-keeper would be the most redundant person in the history of cricket when Howard is bowling.
Australia was accused of looking a bit soft in the centre after the first World T20, so tough guys Jonathan Brown and Glenn Archer come into the team. Ponting, being the dedicated Kangaroos man that he is, will happily cede the vice-captaincy to Archer.
Shane Warne has been selected, helping register the team in the modified format of T20 that he made up with Sachin Tendulkar, while Jason Gillespie gets a spot as a specialist no.9.
Andrew Johns is in the team so Howard can win some votes in Western Sydney, as is Glenn McGrath.
T20 novelty-era team:
1. Adam Gilchrist
2. Damien Martyn
3. Brad Hodge
4. Ricky Ponting
5. John Howard (c) (wk)
6. Jonathan Brown
7. Glenn Archer (vc)
8. Shane Warne
9. Jason Gillespie
10. Andrew Johns
11. Glenn McGrath
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