What the Australian T20 squad will look like for the 2020 World Cup

In the last T20 world cup Khawaja was our top batsman and one of the best in the comp from playing the same way he has been in the BBL.

I think what also goes against Khawaja in the short formats is his fielding and running between the wickets. He is as slow as a turtle and has no agility. I’d be surprised if he plays any white ball cricket again for Australia. I’m really hopeful he’s around for another 4 or 5 years in tests though and finds some real consistency.

Warner Khawaja Lynn Maxwell Finch Carey Agar Cummins Starc Coulter Nile Tye

Interesting article David. As I wrote recently, I'm not sure there's room for Smith in Australia's best XI in T20s going forward, unless he becomes more attacking. Ditto for Khawaja, who is no more dynamic in T20 cricket than Smith - they have virtually identical career strike rates in that format. The next World T20 tournament will be played in Australia on absolute roads so I'd expect it to be a very high-scoring tournament, with scores of 190+ common place. Which leads me to think that there really isn't a place for slower-scoring batsmen like Khawaja and Smith based on their current approaches in T20. Australia's ultra-aggressive batting lineup which won the tri-series is the blueprint they should follow.

Apparently acknowledging his BBL efforts in successive posts is not enough for you...? The difference is, I'm looking at the bigger picture while you're just cherry-picking stats that fit your narrative. Tests haven't kept Khawaja out of the IPL or the national side (in 2017), Stephen. He just hasn't been getting picked. Yes I watched a couple of his knocks for the Thunder this summer and his BBL average is impressive, but it doesn't change the fact that you actually have to play a decent number of matches to warrant selection. (BTW, he didn't top score vs the Stars - Watson did, unbeaten and at a better strike rate, while Handscomb got more than both of them - and Mark Waugh would gush over anyone scoring runs for the Thunder.) I'm not disputing Khawaja's ability at all. However, being talented doesn't suddenly override the fact that he hasn't been playing. Even Smith has played a full season of IPL in that last 18 month period, and will captain the Royals in this upcoming IPL, yet I agree with the author that it's difficult to squeeze him into this side. If you want to start talking about averages, Head averaged 53.5 to Khawaja's 45.5 this BBL and he maintained it over 9 innings while captaining his side to the title. Yet Khawaja is talked up as some kind of must-have superstar and Head doesn't rate a mention. Go figure. Oh, and 'no other guy power plays as well as he does with normal cricketing shots' - clearly you forgot about D'Arcy Short.

thats very strong and powerful side which you picked David which I agree.

T20 is actually Khawaja’s best format

I agree get Khawaja there

JamesH have you actually sat down and watcched khawaja play T20 in the last year, because of his australian test duties he only got 3 big bash games this year, and what does he do, gets a top score of 80 odd against perth scortchers to get a win, top scores against stars to again get a win, he can't help getting such few big bash games because of aus duties but when he does play he stands out. Also his strike rate in those games was close to 150, no other guy plays power plays as well as he does with normal cricketing shots. Even Mark Waugh, Ponting and Gilly were in awe of the guy when he batted in those few games, he is the best big bash player in the country. Also any comments on his big bash average of 50+ across the 6 years lol

It's like you didn't read what I actually wrote. One great season in 2015/16 doesn't make someone a must-pick for a world cup in 2020. Like I said, the guy has played 3 T20s (i.e. including domestic matches) in almost 18 months. He sat on the sidelines for the whole of the last IPL for Pune (the side Smith captained to the final). He wasn't purchased at all this time around. Unless he plays T20 in the English domestic comp this year, that 18 months will stretch to more than two years by the time BBL08 rolls around. Khawaja would have to do something pretty special between now and the WC to be considered for selection, let alone edge out Head, Smith or M Marsh. He is not even in the frame right now.

I think NCN might be a chance over Stanlake, but it will depend on form and injuries for both. They both tend to spend a lot of time off the field. I also think Mitch Marsh picks himself in this format, and I would have him over Khawaja. But then Khawaja or Smith, depending on what happens over the next two years, would likely come in for Lynn.

If Lynn is injured replace him with Khawaja at 3

Stephen very well said, Khawaja is the best big bash player in the country, I agree with the author that he is a must for the World Cup squad

JamesH khawaja took the Thunder to the only title win, aside from that they are usually wooden spooners. No batsman in the BBL makes as much of a difference to the winning percentage as khawaja does to the thunder. He only played 3 games ths year and in one he top scored with 80 odd to take the perth scothers down on his own and in the other he top scored to take the stars down in melbourne when Will smith graced us with his visit. In the third game he was given lbw and the ball was missing the stumps. In BBL he is the only batsman averaging over 50 with 20 games or more, and no batsman hits the ball better int he power plays then khawaja where his strike rate is close to 150, and you still don't understand the love affair with this guy in T20, he is one of our best.

JamesH khawaja took the Thunder to the only title win, aside from that they are usually wooden spooners. No batsman in the BBL makes as much of a difference to the winning percentage as khawaja does to the thunder. He only played 3 games ths year and in one he top scored with 80 odd to take the perth scothers down on his own and in the other he top scored to take the stars down in melbourne when Will smith graced us with his visit. In the third game he was given lbw and the ball was missing the stumps. In BBL he is the only batsman averaging over 50 with 20 games or more, and no batsman hits the ball better int he power plays then khawaja where his strike rate is close to 150, and you still don't understand the love affair with this guy in T20, he is one of our best

I love a good 'pick a team' article so don't take this personally, but the love affair with Khawaja in this format is bizarre. In the last 4 years he's had one good BBL tournament (2015/16). That's it. He hasn't done anything else in this format over that time which would demand selection. Khawaja has only played 9 T20Is, all in 2016, where he reached 40 once. He's played just one IPL season ever (also 2016) and he didn't pass 30 in 6 knocks. In almost 18 months he has played 3 T20 innings in total (all BBL), in which he made a couple of good scores, but how is that enough of a formline to warrant selection? He'd have to have a blinder of a BBL08 to even be considered. Travis Head hasn't been mentioned in your article, despite having similar stats to Khawaja and a far better formline over the last 18 months. Throw in the facts that he's a better fielder, offers part time bowling, still has his best cricket ahead of him and was actually picked in the recent T20I squad, and it's almost inconceivable that he would be left out for Uzzie. Turner is a handy pick and I expect him to be even better by the time this WC rolls around. Same with Stanlake, while K Richardson showed some leadership with the ball. All are good backups, although I suspect the selectors will find a way to squeeze Smith into the squad. As for your starting lineup, I like it.

The side should be. Warner Short Maxwell Finch M marsh Carey Agar Cummins Starc Coulter Nile Tye

David, much will depend on what Smith does with the bat in T20 competitions over the coming 12 months. He's more than capable of lifting to earn a place in this side. The guy you chose who won't go is Chris Lynn. He's sadly spent more time off the field than he has on in the past 12 months and there's no way selectors could take a punt on him unless he's had a lot of months to come good and then has shown he's back to his best with the bat. The rest of the squad looks good and Ponting needs to coach and Warner must captain the side.