It might have been the first game of a five-match T20 series against New Zealand, but Australia’s capitulation after a strong start proves there is a mountain of work to be done ahead of back-to-back T20 World Cups.
And while the acknowledgement must be made that this side isn’t exactly the full-strength version – remember, there was the small matter of the now postponed South African Test series blocking that from happening – this is still the nucleus of the side that will contest a World Cup this year in India, and one next year in Australia.
Aaron Finch, Matthew Wade, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Mitch Marsh, Ashton Agar, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson and Ashton Agar are generally considered to be in or around Australia’s best XI in the shortest format of the game.
And yet, they looked liked deer caught in the headlights in Christchurch as the important series got underway.
Five-match T20 series are a rarity in international cricket due to the busy schedules teams face, but this is the ideal opportunity for both of the trans-Tasman nations to begin fine tuning their preparations for the double World Cups to come.
And yet, after one game, all the momentum is with the Black Caps, despite the fact that, batting first, they were 3-19 off four overs at one point.
How they ended up 5-184 from that position is embarrassing for Australia, as the almost unproven Devon Conway came in at number four – his team up the creek without a paddle – before batting the rest of the innings and finishing with 99 not out.
Granted, sometimes a batsman gets going and no amount of tight or good bowling will get rid of him, but Australia didn’t bowl that well at the South African-born batsman in just his seventh international.
Conway was backed up strongly by Glenn Phillips and Jimmy Neesham, with only Adam Zampa to bowl with any real sort of restrictive might. Even then, he went for 20 off his three overs having taken the new ball.
Adam Zampa. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images for ECB)
Proving just how inconsistent and unable to find a rhythm the Aussie bowlers were, seven of them got a go with the ball, the main bowlers unable to do the job. Despite that, Kane Richardson and Daniel Sams – who were the two most expensive – bowled their four overs out going for 42 and 40 respectively in a performance which just wasn’t up to scratch.
Aaron Finch’s form with the bat might be a cause for concern to the Australian higher-ups, but his captaincy on-field left plenty to be desired too.
Speaking of his form with the stick, and the Aussies crumbled for just 131. While chasing over nine runs per over leaves little option but to go hard from ball one, Finch, Josh Philippe and Matthew Wade were all at sea against the new ball, the chance of Australia clawing down the total over almost before it began.
What is most worrying about this performance is the way they were well ahead in the contest, but fell behind so quickly and never managed anything close to a recovery.
Only Mitchell Marsh provided spark with the bat and, as the side looks to rebuild, there is a question over whether he would even be still considered for national selection come the second of the upcoming double-up in World Cup action.
In saying that, this series has four matches to go, and it’s likely Australia will shake things up to get one back over the Kiwis.
Despite the fact Australia are second in the world rankings though, this is a format of the game they have just never got their heads around on the biggest stage, with the Aussies struggling to perform when it has counted in T20 cricket.
There can be no question the format is taken seriously by the nation now – the BBL blocks out half of the summer – but there may need to be changes to the way the team is structured, picked, and the way the BBL is run and organised.
Clearly, whatever the Aussies are doing at home isn’t working or translating into international success. The truly worrying thing is that while Pat Cummins, David Warner and co. may make a difference, the nucleus of the national T20 team played in Christchurch.
The nucleus of a team with a mountain to climb – and not just in this series.
Australia can’t afford any more dud performances at T20 World Cups. The format is just too important in the modern cricket landscape.
But at the moment, it’s hard to see things finishing any other way.
JGK
Roar Guru
Swepson is out for several months with what seems to be a serious back or neck problem.
Gurlivleen Grewal
Roar Pro
Well, I have seen the underwhelming performance of Agar against quality sides and I would prefer Swepson. Phillippe - have you seen his performance in the IPL? Selection is all about the early hunches.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
I'd agree he's better value than Wade and Finch. I'm also thinking Maxi must be starting to lose his eye. Love him to score a run for his country.
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
He scores runs though. Which is more than can be said for a couple of the incumbents...
Shellbell
Guest
Hardly - 108 matches for Oz across all three formats for 50 wins 51 losses and 7 draws/nrs. ie sub par. Pretty sure no one else has played 100+ games and is below 50%. That includes 14:14 win loss in tests with his last 7 tests yielding 6 losses and a draw. Stoinis is following suit with 32 wins and 36 losses in 69 one day and T20 matches. By contrast, Maxwell is 110 wins/73 losses. Smith is 139 wins/93 losses. We are not meant to be and rarely have been a 50:50 team. We have won 3 of our last 10 internationals. Pick winners is pretty good idea.
Paul
Roar Guru
"But the sooner they realize Richardson, Sams and even Agar, Wade, Phillippe are not the answers they are looking for, the better." So the number 6 bowler in the ICC T20 rankings is not the answer and nor is a guy on debut? Talk about knee-jerk.
Rob
Guest
There was news yesterday that his father has been battling cancer and has just passed away and was the reason why he left the bubble for a short period of time in the ODI/T20 series. This could of been a factor for his dip in form over the summer. Can't imagine how tough it would of been on him to be kept away from his family during a time like that.
peter chrisp
Guest
Just a quick score apologies India vs England, Pomms all out for 112!
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Useless stat of the month. __ PS: He has played in more winning Tests than losing Tests and more winning ODIs than losing ODIs. Oh well, nice try.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
112 all out 48.4 overs. Didn't even bat out their 50 ... now that's more like the England I used to know back in the day ... :laughing:
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Who cares. What matters is that England are 8 for 103 batting first in 3rd test. Yay!!!!
James
Roar Rookie
Warner should be first picked! Far and away our best T20 batsmen with a good IPL record. Should be the captain too! (Yes I know he is banned by the dimwits in power) Mitchell Starc is up and down but an absolute match winner on his day. Alex Carey ahead of Mr "throw his wicket away" Wade, Cameron Green (Why not?) and Marnus is a goer. If you are not taking those blokes I wonder who you would select. My T20 World Cup squad: 1. David Warner(c) 2. Alex Carey 3. Marnus Labuschagne 4. Steve Smith 5. Mitch Marsh 6. Marcus Stoinis 7. Glenn Maxwell 8. Pat Cummins 9. Dan Christian 10. Mitchell Starc 11. Josh Hazlewood 12. Cameron Green 13. Moises Henriques 14. Steven O'Keefe 15. Nathan Ellis What would your squad look like?
Gurlivleen Grewal
Roar Pro
Knee jerk indeed. In T20s one-off days usually come out worse then they are. Given that the first 3 players in the 11 have been resting Cummins, Starc and Warner – I assume it is trying different players. But the sooner they realize Richardson, Sams and even Agar, Wade, Phillippe are not the answers they are looking for, the better.
Fox
Roar Guru
Well not sure about an unproven Conway. He averages 91 in 7 matches and has just broken a record for 5 consecutive fifties in T20’s – 4 in NZ domestic and has been NO for about 6 innings now. He is one of 3 best batsmen in NZ – and should be in the test side and sooner rather than later. By-the-way Scott, the weather in Dunedin is overcast and it will swing and NZ have not lost a match there in any format for 21 years – the Eden Park of NZ cricket. Good luck with that mate as the Australian had no clue how to play Boult and Southee and I warned on here that Maxwell is not a good player of world class swing bowling in swinging conditions, He looked clueless at the crease. My two mates watching the game with me, had just said he will be lucky to last 2 more overs – he was out two balls later. This is why he is not a regular test batsmen. If it swing in Dunedin – and it will – Australia won’t want to bowl first.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
I was stoked with the Black Caps win the other night. Great recovery with the bat and they bowled well in the conditions. I still think Australia can get better in this series especially now that they are out of quarantine restrictions.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
Riccardo. Your take on Conway is spot on. He has been scoring bulk runs and was a matter of time before he got in the NZ team once eligible. The question now is where does he fit in the Test and ODI teams? NZ selectors tend to stick to the tried and true which has served them well over last 4 or so years but when a guy is dominating you have to ride the form wave. He always looks in control in T20 games. Proper cricket strokes, great shot placement and selection.
Shellbell
Guest
Marsh, as a player, has a losing record across all three formats. He has played 108 international matches. I am guessing no other Aussie player has achieved this ignominy nor will ever. Sure, make him captain.
Simon
Guest
Yes, his economy rate is higher because he bowls at the death. Similar to how Maxwell's ODI average is on the lower side because generally bats at the finish. Tye from 2018 is also not the same bowler as Tye in 2021. He's about 10kms quicker now
13th Man
Roar Rookie
I worry a bit about Starc in all forms, his record is good but he was very leaky in the Odis and t20s vs India as well.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
I've never heard of him but that's an impressive stat!