After doing the 21st century ODI XIs, here comes the all-time T20I XI edition.
First up, Australia. When selecting the XIs, I went by the players’ T20 internationals (T20I) performances rather than their performances in franchise T20 cricket/T20 domestics.
1. David Warner
T20I stats – 2207 runs, 31.52 average, one hundred
A powerful left-hander, David Warner is one of the few men I had pencilled in this XI without giving it a second thought. Before making his first-class debut, Warner made a name for himself in T20 internationals after scoring a spectacular 89 on debut against South Africa. Becoming the third Australian after Shane Watson and Glenn Maxwell to score a hundred in every format late last year, Warner is Australia’s leading T20I run-scorer.
2. Aaron Finch (captain)
T20I stats – 1989 runs, 38.25 average, two hundreds
Is there anyone in Australian cricket who is as powerful and consistent with the bat as Aaron Finch? Whether it’s against pace or spin, Finch will most likely deposit the ball over cow corner for six. One of the finest T20 cricketers in the world, Finch has an outstanding record in T20 internationals – with both of his centuries being 150-plus scores. Currently the captain of the Australian T20I side, I couldn’t think of anyone else to lead this XI.
3. Shane Watson
T20I stats – 1462 runs, 29.24 average, one hundred, 48 wickets, 24.72 average, 7.65 economy
I wanted to have Watson opening the batting, but there’s no way Warner or Finch gets demoted down the order. Thus, Watson comes in at first drop. Just like Warner and Finch, Watson can clear the ropes with ease when batting. When given the ball, Watson has given Australia many breakthroughs in crucial stages. I can consider myself lucky that I was at the SCG the day he smashed 124 against India.
4. Glenn Maxwell
T20I stats – 1576 runs, 35.02 average, three hundreds 26 wickets, 27.07 average, 7.48 economy
Glenn Maxwell is the best Australian T20 cricketer to date. With the bat, Maxwell can play shots all over the ground and keeps the scoreboard ticking at a rapid pace. His off-spinners are more than handy to tie up an end and create pressure. When fielding, Maxwell has a rocket of an arm that opposition batsmen wouldn’t dare to challenge. If anyone has the complete package to be the most successful Australian T20 player, it’s Maxwell.
(Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
5. Cameron White
T20I stats – 984 runs, 32.8 average, five fifties
“The Bear” may have underachieved in ODI and Test cricket, but Cameron White had a successful T20 career for Australia. An aggressive middle-order batsman, White was an underrated gem coming in tough situations a few times. His ability to adapt according to match situations was second to none, and his final T20 innings would prove that, scoring 41 off 31 not out in a tense two-wicket win against South Africa at ANZ Stadium.
6. Michael Hussey
T20I stats – 721 runs, 37.94 average, four fifties
A fine middle-order batsman, Hussey is my finisher in the XI. For all the talks of how he was an accumulator, Hussey’s strike rate in T20 internationals is 136.29. One of the best accumulators in T20 cricket, Hussey delivered for Australia most times in the middle order. After all, who can forget his magical 60 off 24 against Pakistan in the 2010 T20 World Cup semi-final? When under pressure, call on Michael Hussey to deliver.
7. Brad Haddin (wicketkeeper)
T20I stats – 402 runs, 17.47 average, zero fifties, 17 catches, six stumpings
The keeper spot was a tough choice to pick, so I went ahead with Brad Haddin. Down the order, he can make use of the limited balls to take advantage with the bat and his keeping will ensure catches and stumpings aren’t missed behind the stumps.
8. Mitchell Johnson
T20I stats – 38 wickets, 20.97 average, 7.28 economy
A phenomenal bowler, Johnson will best be known for the 2013-14 Ashes and his exploits in the series. But his T20 numbers for Australia are excellent. Johnson’s bowling average only went above 25 once for Australia, and his economy never went higher than 7.3. His use of the crease and bowling at full tilt would see the Queenslander pick up the third highest tally of wickets for Australia in T20 internationals.
9. Mitchell Starc
T20I stats – 43 wickets, 18.65 average, 6.91 economy
One of the deadliest white-ball bowlers of all times, there’s absolutely no reason why Mitch Starc cannot be in this XI. Australia’s best T20I bowler to date? Absolutely.
(Action Foto Sport/NurPhoto)
10. Adam Zampa
T20I stats – 33 wickets, 19.03 average, 6.12 economy
Overtaking Cameron Boyce for a spot in the 2016 T20 World Cup, Adam Zampa has emerged to become Australia’s best T20 spinner of all time. With subtle variations and changes of pace, the New South Welshman has been a tough bowler to take advantage of. Come the T20 World Cup in Australia, Zampa’s performances with the ball could determine Australia’s fate in the tournament.
11. Dirk Nannes
T20I stats – 28 wickets, 16.39 average, 7.52 economy
After turning out for the Netherlands in the 2009 T20 World Cup, Nannes played 15 T20 internationals for Australia. He picked up 27 wickets for the Aussies in that time at a bowling average of 14.92. Bowling close to 150 kilometres per hour, Nannes’ left-armers proved to be difficult for the opposition as his thunderbolts helped Australia reach the 2010 T20 World Cup final. It is a shame he didn’t play more T20 internationals, but Dirk Nannes sure did make a severe impact in his short stint.
Rugbyrah
Roar Rookie
Gilchrist should be the wicketkeeper.
Save_the_Earth
Roar Rookie
Marsh played less number of games compared to Smith, But scored more runs, has better average, has better strike rate, has more 50's and more MoM awards than Smith. Dont know how they are pretty much the same. I don't know where this bowling angle came from. Smith bowled 2 "balls" in his entire ipl career. 2 balls, not even 2 overs! If that's enough to consider him as a better bowler. Then its fine. Lol!!!! And if i remember correctly, he was retained by some franchise. There seems to be some base price for retaining a player. That's the reason why he went for that kind of price. We all know some indian's are emotional fools. Does price really demonstrate a players value. There is this guy Tymal mills who went for $1.9 million. Where is he now. And then this guy unadkat for $1.6 mil. etc. So those emotional fools really fell for it.
Josh H
Roar Rookie
Really good comment this. Back in the early days of England's T20 blast, it was a real trend to see specialist keepers get picked for their work behind the stumps, like Chris Read, James Foster, and more recently (and interestingly) Michael Bates, who generally batted 10 and definitely didn't have the international prestige of the former two. Bates in particular was a sensation and regularly went up to the stumps no matter who was bowling. Sadly, his county decided to sign a point fielder with gloves and that was the end of that, but Bates' example showed that it could work. Given the propensity for pace bowlers to bowl slower balls at the death, the idea of an exceptional keeper standing up to the stumps to stop last over byes is a very shrewd one.
Paul
Roar Guru
Way better than Steve Smith's numbers? They're pretty much the same, except one guy has played a lot more games. Throw in his fielding & bowling and Steve Smith is a far better all round option than Marsh, IMO This "overrated" T20 player clearly has the Indians fooled. One team is going to pay him US$ 1.7 million to turn out for them this year.
Save_the_Earth
Roar Rookie
we cant pick an all time test XI based on some good numbers in Sheffield Shield. there is not a single impactful or match winning innings he played either in t20i or ipl. he is just overrated and people mention him because of their bias towards test records. shaun marsh is way better than him if anyone wants to consider ipl
sauron2000000
Roar Rookie
My vote also goes to Gilly.
sauron2000000
Roar Rookie
Guru Greg would have been great in T20s. As Bengalis, we do not appreciate him much. We are biased, you and I.
JamesH
Roar Guru
There must be a heap of former cricketers feeling ripped off that they didn't get to make a some quick $ out of the T20 circuits. It would have been great to see players like Viv, Deano and Botham teeing off in their prime.
JamesH
Roar Guru
For what it's worth, that's a fair team!
Peter85
Roar Rookie
Haha - I clicked on the wrong lets construct a team article.
Samuel Laffy
Roar Guru
Too right!
JamesH
Roar Guru
This article is about a T20I side, not an ODI side ;)
JamesH
Roar Guru
Born about a decade too early.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Fair enough, although Dirk Nannes only played a small number of games for Australia too. Maybe Cummins would have been a better choice for third seamer? Also, I'd happily have Gilly at 7! :silly:
Peter85
Roar Rookie
This is a very hard team to pick. Running my eyes over the 2000's stats (60 games minimum), there is such a wealth of talent, with 12 players averaging over 40 with the bat and 5 more notable all-rounders in the 30's. For my batsman I would go with (average/strike-rate): Warner (46/96) Gilchrist (37/100) Ponting (42/84) - most runs Watson (41/90) Hussey (48/87) - leading average Symonds (40/93) Maxwell (32/123) - leading strike rate The biggest takeaways that I had were the increase in strike rates as you get to the newer batsmen, from around 80 to 90 for a good strike rate. Hayden/Warner have the same average but Warner strikes at 95 compared to Hayden's 86. Maxwell is probably the most contentious pick, but no-one comes close to his striking ability. For the bowlers there are a few more standouts, with not so many players having big long careers, so I am going with (average/RPO). McGrath (20/3.77) - leading average and RPO Starc (22/5.10) - leading strike rate Lee (23/4.76) - leading wicket taker Hogg (26/4.52) - better average than Warne (30/4.39) and comparable RPO given playing a longer career The all-rounders that bowl the last ten overs are: Watson (32/4.95) Symonds (37/4.99) Clarke (38/4.99) Maxwell (51/5.61)
Ace
Roar Rookie
It's a great team. Only 20 overs so 5 good batsmen should suffice. That means I have a question mark re White on the big stage whereas a good fielder like Symonds would not be out of place. All the left arm quicks can be balanced out by Watson and Zampa and Maxwell. I compliment you on the choice of Haddin as most would go for Gilchrist. The keeping of Haddin is almost like having another slip fielder ..plus he makes very few mistakes. A good selection
Paul
Roar Guru
very good call. I'd forgotten about "The Freak".
Samuel Laffy
Roar Guru
Ian Harvey was a genuine wizard in English Domestic T20's when the format first started - I'm firmly throwing his hat into the ring.
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
Don't get me wrong I would love to do that. But in order to do this series well for every international side I'm doing an XI on, I decided to focus on T20I matches only. That being said, leagues such as IPL and CPL are played probably on par with T20Is IMO
AREH
Roar Guru
Hodge sure does deserve to be in the mix. I suppose you have to think about the main criteria; would it be performances at T20 International level or the format in general? As many have a brilliant reputation in domestic competitions globally, without a lot of national representation. Narrowing down to XI is so tough. But would definitely throw any of Gilchrist, Hodge, Bailey and Christian into this conversation.