Australia will get a rest from their one-day woes tomorrow when they return to T20Is, a format in which they currently have scorching form.
The Aussies may be in their deepest ODI form trough of the modern era but in T20Is their outlook is cheerful – they own a commanding 13-5 win-loss record stretching back to March 2016.
Four months ago, Australia bossed both England and New Zealand to cruise to victory in the Twenty20 tri-series played across Australia and New Zealand. The side recorded two easy wins over England before thumping the Kiwis in the final.
That series also saw Australia complete the highest successful run chase in Twenty20 history when they ran down 243 against New Zealand with seven balls to spare.
Australia’s dominance in that series was based on the dynamic batting of Glen Maxwell (233 runs at an average of 116 and strike rate of 166) and D’Arcy Short (196 runs at 49, strike rate 150). Meanwhile, regular opener Aaron Finch adapted well to his new middle order role, making 74 runs from just 32 balls without being dismissed in the series.
Short opened alongside Australia’s most accomplished T20 batsman, David Warner, in that series but with Warner banned Short is likely to team up tomorrow with rookie wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey. Short and Carey were the top two runscorers in last summer’s Big Bash League, with the former creaming 572 runs at 57 (strike rate 148) and the latter hoarding 443 runs at 49 (strike rate 141).
Carey’s potency at the top of the order in T20s should allow Australia to play five bowlers, with Ashton Agar batting at seven. Glenn Maxwell, Travis Head and Aaron Finch could fill positions three through five in the batting line-up, though in what exact order they’ll appear is hard to predict and could well depend on the state of the innings.
Australia’s options to bat number six are thin, with all-rounder Marcus Stoinis and batsman Nic Maddinson the only realistic choices in the 14-man squad. Neither is a particularly attractive option – Stoinis has a very ordinary career T20 batting record (average of 22, strike rate of 120), as does Maddinson (23 and 131 respectively).
At number seven, Agar is coming off a fine ODI series against England, in which he was one of the only Australians who enhanced their reputation. The left-arm spinner was the standout bowler in the aforementioned T20 tri-series, taking seven wickets at 16 and giving up just 6.38 runs per over.
Agar is likely to be part of a dual-spin attack alongside leggie Mitchell Swepson. The Queenslander was an odd choice for this series given he had a poor BBL, taking five wickets at 50 while maintaining a decent economy rate of 7.11 rpo.
But Australia only picked two spinners in this squad so Swepson looks set to make his international debut. Australia’s three specialist quicks will be Billy Stanlake and Andrew Tye plus one of the two Richardsons – Jhye and Kane.
Stanlake shapes as the key with the new ball after his blistering display against England in the final ODI. The 204cm express quick bowled with rare hostility, troubling all the England batsmen en route to figures of 3-35 from ten overs.
T20 is Stanlake’s most familiar format, and in fact the same goes for most of the side’s bowlers in this match. Australia will be hoping they can bully England like they did four months ago and salvage a scrap of pride from this so-far disastrous tour.
Australia’s best T20 XI
1. D’Arcy Short
2. Alex Carey (wk)
3. Glenn Maxwell
4. Travis Head
5. Aaron Finch (c)
6. Marcus Stoinis
7. Ashton Agar
8. Andrew Tye
9. Mitchell Swepson
10. Kane Richardson
11. Billy Stanlake
Australian T20 squad
D’Arcy Short, Alex Carey, Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Finch (c), Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Agar, Andrew Tye, Mitchell Swepson, Jhye Richardson, Billy Stanlake, Nic Maddinson, Jack Wildermuth, Kane Richardson
Saurebh Gandle
Roar Guru
England just too too good for Australia.
James
Guest
I dont see how CA can do that though. Yes the punishment to the guys, who lets not forget did cheat, was arguably excessive, the rest of the inquiry and clean up was pathetic. Lehmann got off scott free despite it being inconceivable that he wasnt involved and we still dont know what actually happened as its all been very hush hush. I dont think CA wants to look so weak by letting them back.
KenoathCarnt
Guest
Dam right imagine if Sunrisers Hydrababd had Warner instead of the quite average Hales they would have been nearly unbeatable.
Stuckbetweenindopak
Roar Rookie
Looking at the condition of your team, it would be sensible if CA could fast track the comeback of smith and warner as much as possible. I mean no one gives a damn in the world about the initiall term they were handed...if they were playing t20 today it would be a good news for majority of people who care about cricket
George
Guest
Unfortunately the author of this article is that person who despite being incredibly knowledgeable never cuts Khawaja slack even when Khawaja is clearly showing ability to play spin and field
Krishna Singh
Roar Rookie
What dissapoints me about khawaja is that people and good knowledgable people don't give him the credit thats due to him. Like for example take a look at the catch that he took on Peters's link, the guy has obviously worked hard on his fielding and has been taking blinders like this at slip and gully for the bulls and Australia but all people do is focus on the odd dropped catch and make him out to be an inzi in the field when in fact he is one of the sharpest fielders around now. Similarly the perception that he is a bad spin player just plainly annoys me now because if you watched khawaja recently in south africa or the home summer ashes or his second county century you can see a player confident against spin using the sweep shot and his feet very effectively. Again good knowledgeable people will use the few dismisals he has had against spin against him when good players of spin like finch were clueless in england against moin in the most recent series. All our players struggle to bat in the sub continent due to the conditons and khawaja is no different to those conditions but why just pick on him. As a Indian immigrant i see this type of discrimination at work on some occassions though majority of aussies are good people and we see khawaja being the victim of that time after time when he clearlly doesn't deserve it.
BurgyGreen
Guest
I'd probably prefer you just stick with mine than take someone else's tbh
BrainsTrust
Roar Rookie
The stats on Mr Khawaja show a numerical strong point and fact is that he is consistent across all formats when given a fair chance. That he has skills is beyond doubt, that he understands and can read the play of ball is without a question but we need to give this bloke a real chance and not keep chopping him in the shorter formats.I hope he gets there and is a permanent fixture in all format squads.Langer now have to look at building a team over the next 24mths, that means choices have to be made not just on current form of players but what combine would work into the future and start giving those different team components exposure and experience and for me khawaja is a must for the next 2-4 years. I know longer will get this bloke in soon because he is too damn good to be kept out.
Peter
Roar Rookie
catch! https://twitter.com/GlamCricket/status/1011292970623127552
KenoathCarnt
Guest
Mitch Swepson is in the team but I am not sure if he will get a run.
BrainsTrust
Roar Rookie
Love the top 3 of warner, khawaja and lynn, we will be 100 by 8 overs
BrainsTrust
Roar Rookie
Yeah sure no worries mate, will change the name, apologies for the confusion
KenoathCarnt
Guest
Kind of not as confident about the T20 team for a few reasons. Firstly full strength they could dominate most but there is no Lynn or Warner. Secondly Short seems in poor form since the IPL and Maxwell had a horror IPL as well as Stoinos was very sub par and shouldn't be the all rounder in the T20 team he is quite average. The only redeeming factor is the bowling is rampant TYE,Stamlake and Agar have been more then impressive. Best T20 side Khawaja Warner Lynn Maxwell Finch Carey Agar Cummims Starc/NCN Tye Stanlake I just hate that Shane Watson is too old I wish he was slightly younger he is the perfect all rounder and would be the crown juel in the T20 side with the absolute perfect 6th bowling option and ability to take a game away with the bat.
AREH
Roar Guru
Agree that Short should be a part of the national setup in T20 format only at present, but it's hardly his fault either for being selected. He didn't acquire himself at all badly in his two matches, but his selection was still left field - he hadn't shown much in 50-over cricket to warrant it.
BurgyGreen
Guest
Hey mate, I know I haven't registered the username and you have a right to take whatever name you want, but since you've just joined this month is there any chance you could pick something else to avoid confusion?
BrainsTrust
Roar Rookie
Khawaja is in great form ??
BrainsTrust
Roar Rookie
Khawaja should be stamped “ never to play for Australia again “ he has zero respect for his wicket :)
Krishna Singh
Roar Rookie
Three shames, warner is missing, khawaja missing and no leg spinner
Krishna Singh
Roar Rookie
More then Maddinson i would get khawaja there, best T20 player in australia. My ideal team 01.David Warner (C) 02.Aron Finch 03.Usman Khawaja 04.Shaun Marsh 05.Glenn Maxwell 06.Mitchell Marsh 07.Alex Carey (WK) 08.Ashton Aagar 09.Pat Cummins 10.Mitchell Starc 11.Josh Hazlewood Australia Badly Need This team Right now. Revoke Ban Over Warner
Krishna Singh
Roar Rookie
Still defies logic that khawaja is not there given crazy county form. I would play 2 spinners (Swepson and Agar) and open the bowling with 1 or both.We need a leg spinner for the World Cup and it’s time we take Swepson out of cotton wool and see what he has to offer