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Opinion
In the final edition I come to NSW’s all-time T20 XI.
When choosing the XI, I went through the following criteria.
Selection was not solely based on T20I performances, they had to have played at least one season for New South Wales before the inauguration of BBL franchise tournament, or they were born in NSW and played at least one BBL season for the Sydney Sixers or the Sydney Thunder.
1. David Warner (captain)
T20 stats – 9218 runs, 27.93 average, 142.20 strike rate, eight hundreds
Making his T20 debut with a quickfire 20 batting at number six in 2007 for New South Wales, David Warner has undoubtedly come a long way in the shortest format. Smashing fours and sixes for fun, Warner’s performances for NSW would earn him an IPL contract and an Australian debut in T20 cricket. Having captained the Sunrisers Hyderabad to the 2016 IPL title, Warner takes the captaincy role in the XI.
2. Phillip Hughes
T20 stats – 1110 runs, 42.69 average, 117.21 strike rate, ten hundreds
An underrated T20 player, Phil Hughes had a fantastic T20 career until the untimely incident on 27 November 2014. Scoring 80 not out on T20 debut en route to NSW chasing down 162 against Queensland, the left-hander showed he belonged in the shortest format. Hughes’ form for New South Wales and the Adelaide Strikers would earn him a gig at the Mumbai Indians for the 2013 IPL edition, being a part of Mumbai’s maiden IPL title win.
3. Steve Smith
T20 stats – 4014 runs, 31.6 average, 126.14 strike rate, one hundred
T20 cricket isn’t always about slogging, and Steve Smith has proven that. Sticking to the basics of batting, Smith has shown his ability to switch gears based on the situation of a match. As his white-ball credentials continue to get better, don’t be surprised to see Smith finish with a T20 average in the high 30s.
4. Moises Henriques
T20 stats – 3775 runs, 26.58 average, 127.44 strike rate, 18 fifties
The greatest athlete to come from the island of Madeira (Cristiano Ronaldo, who?), Moises Henriques is another underrated T20 cricketer. Whether it be for NSW, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Surrey or the Sydney Sixers, Henriques has performed his roles for his respective T20 teams to near perfection. An outstanding player of spin and a great cricket brain, Henriques was a close shout to leading this XI had Warner not been from NSW.
(Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)
5. Brad Haddin (wicketkeeper)
T20 stats – 1747 runs, 22.39 average, 126.22 strike rate, 61 catches, 20 stumpings
Reliable behind the stumps and a handy middle-order batsman, Brad Haddin comes in at number five. With all due respect to Peter Nevill and Daniel Smith, neither would take over Brad Haddin in the XI.
6. Dan Christian
T20 stats – 4695 runs, 23.24 average, 137.64 strike rate, two hundreds, 231 wickets, 28.74 average, 8.4 economy
Making his T20 debut in January 2006, Dan Christian has made a name for himself as a T20 globetrotter. Winning T20 titles around the world, Christian’s T20 numbers show his ability as a finisher with the bat and a wicket-taker with the ball. Despite a poor BBL09, Christian keeps himself on the selectors’ radar for the T20 World Cup.
7. Chris Green
T20 stats – 512 runs, 14.62 average, 125.18 strike-rate, zero fifties, 74 wickets, 27.12 average, 6.62 economy
In the past few seasons, Chris Green’s T20 skills have gone up a notch. An off-spinner who can bowl in any stage of a T20 match, Green has consistently performed in the Caribbean Premier League, Big Bash and Pakistan Super League. Stringing up another quality CPL campaign, Green’s performances are boding well for Australian cricket leading up to the T20 World Cup.
8. Mitchell Starc
T20 stats – 140 wickets, 17.5 average, 7.15 economy
A no-brainer was selecting Starc in the XI. Bouncer, yorker, in-swingers, he’s got it all to succeed in T20 cricket.
(Action Foto Sport/NurPhoto)
9. Pat Cummins
T20 stats – 96 wickets, 24.18 average, 7.73 economy
Cummins is an exceptional talent. When on song, he’ll get you wickets and with injuries very few and far between nowadays, Cummins is looking fresh and fit for every format.
10. Sean Abbott
T20 stats – 107 wickets, 21.38 average, 8.42 economy
One of three international cricketers to be born on 29 February, Sean Abbott has shown his worth as a T20 bowler. Although his economy is a tad expensive, Abbott is a wicket-taker – as shown in the BBL records. He is the second-highest BBL wicket-taker after Ben Laughlin.
11. Adam Zampa
T20 stats – 169 wickets, 21.49 average, 7.22 economy
Having played for the Sydney Thunder in BBL02, Adam Zampa finds himself eligible for this XI. A leg-spinner who doesn’t turn the ball much, Zampa has a dangerous googly that turns a mile. Proving his mettle in the 2016 T20 World Cup, Adam Zampa has grown strength by strength since. While a World Cup hardly gets dictated on one player, Zampa’s performances in the upcoming T20 World Cups could dictate how Australia goes in the tournaments.
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