Having been soundly beaten 4-1 by an impressive Bangladesh bowling unit, Australia’s attention now turns to the T20 World Cup.
Everyone loves selection debates, so this is the squad that I would take to the marquee tournament.
It’s worth noting that Australia will likely play a tri-series with Afghanistan and the West Indies in October. There are a couple of uncapped players in my squad, and this series can give them much-needed T20 international experience before the tournament proper. The series will likely clash with the resumption of the IPL, creating opportunities for fringe players to push into the XI.
Squad structure
While World Cup squads have previously been capped at 15 players, the ICC has increased this number in light of the travel challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Teams can bring up to 30 players and support staff, with players taking a maximum of 22 places in the enlarged squad.
The number I’ve landed on is 17. Twenty-two feels like an unnecessarily large number and limits the amount of support staff, whereas 17 allows for reserve players to cover all roles in the XI. For what it’s worth Australia’s squads for bilateral series typically include around 17 players.
Australia’s XI will likely include seven batsmen, including a wicketkeeper and all-rounders, and four bowlers. My squad will therefore include eight batsmen (including at least three bowling options), two wicketkeepers and seven frontline bowlers (four seamers and three spinners). At any time there will likely be three batting reserves and three bowling reserves, reflecting a well-balanced squad.
Mitchell Marsh (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)
Batsmen (including all-rounders)
Aaron Finch (captain), David Warner, Steve Smith (injury permitting), Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Dan Christian and Jordan Silk (injury cover for Smith)
The preferred opening duo of Aaron Finch and David Warner reunite, with the pair being among the most successful batsmen for Australia in the T20 format. Australia remains optimistic that Finch will be fit for the World Cup.
Steve Smith, on the other hand, is in significant doubt, so I have named him in the squad but included Jordan Silk as a backup should Smith miss the tournament. Smith has been included to play the anchor role in the side, having compiled 514 runs at 39.53 (strike rate: 141.59) in the No. 3 position. Should Mitchell Marsh retain the No. 3 role, Smith could easily bat at No. 4, having compiled 418 runs at 34.83 (strike rate: 125.53) in that position in the IPL.
Silk is selected as Smith’s replacement on the back of a career-best BBL season in which he averaged 38 with the bat, scoring at an impressive strike rate of 144.69. While Silk’s lower order role differs from the role played by Smith, Australia have no shortage of players who can bat at Nos. 3 or 4.
Maxwell and Marsh walk into the side as all-rounders, with Marsh having been the shining light in Australia’s otherwise poor tours of the West Indies and Bangladesh. In ten T20 innings across the two tours Marsh hit four half-centuries and two scores of 45 in addition to claiming eight wickets.
While some would dispute the selection of Stoinis, he’s demonstrated considerable improvement in his lower-order role, which is arguably a result of experience gained in the IPL. Since his return to the side last year Stoinis has accumulated 240 runs at 40 (strike rate: 146.34) batting almost exclusively at Nos. 5 and 6. While red ink has undoubtedly boosted these numbers, it’s clear that Stoinis can now play the finisher role.
Marnus Labuschagne makes the squad on the back of a breathtaking T20 Blast in which the Test star smashed 390 runs at 55.71 (strike rate: 140.79) and picked up nine wickets at 21.44. Labuschagne will likely play the anchor role if Smith misses through injury.
Finally, Dan Cristian has been selected in the hope that he can provide experience and late-order hitting to the side. Christian showed signs of his best in the recent tours, smashing Shakib Al Hasan for five sixes in an over on his way to a 15-ball score of 39.
He also made an unbeaten 22 (14 balls) in the fourth match of the Caribbean. This selection is admittedly speculative, as he otherwise didn’t deliver against the West Indies and Bangladesh, but that’s the reality of such a high-risk game style. If Australia want a brutal hitter in their side, they need to accept the element of risk involved.
Wicketkeepers
Josh Inglis and Matthew Wade
Having two wicketkeepers in the squad is essential in light of the difficulties associated with flying in replacement players.
The uncapped Josh Inglis makes the squad courtesy of breakout seasons in the BBL and T20 Blast. Inglis batted primarily at No. 4 for the Perth Scorchers last summer, raising hopes that he can manage the middle-late overs better than many of Australia’s incumbents.
The West Australian averaged 34.41 in last summer’s BBL, scoring at an impressive strike rate of 140. In the T20 Blast he has taken his game to a new level, smashing two centuries in a 531-run season. Inglis has averaged 48.27 in the Blast at a blistering strike rate of 175.82.
The young gloveman is highly regarded behind the stumps and therefore offers a well-rounded keeping option.
While the incumbent wicketkeepers in the Australian side have struggled for runs, Matthew Wade retains his place in the squad.
Wade’s record isn’t great, averaging 19.26 (strike rate: 123.81), but he’s done better than all of the other options. Indeed the Tasmanian captain’s record sits second to Adam Gilchrist for Australian T20 keepers. Wade’s three T20 international half-centuries are the only three half-centuries scored by Australian wicketkeepers in the history of the format.
While Inglis should be the starting wicketkeeper, Wade is the most deserving of the incumbents to claim the backup role.
Matthew Wade (Jason O’Brien/Cricket Australia/Getty Images)
Bowlers
Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Kane Richardson, Ashton Agar, Adam Zampa and Mitchell Swepson
Australia will likely play two seamers and two spinners in their starting XI, with the preferred attack to include Starc, Cummins, Agar and Zampa.
At his best Starc is arguably Australia’s best T20 bowler, taking his wickets at an average of 21.82. While he can be erratic at times, the left-arm quick returned to form in the Caribbean after a disappointing start to the series.
In the third match Starc took 1-15 from his four overs before expertly securing victory with an excellent display of death bowling in Game 4. This form continued into the ODI series before he picked up wickets in both of his matches against Bangladesh.
Cummins has 37 T20 international wickets at 20.62 and has conceded fewer than seven runs per over in his career to date. Few would argue against him walking into the Australian squad in all three formats.
Agar and Zampa have formed an excellent spin duo for Australia in the last two years. Since the start of 2019 Agar has taken 32 wickets at 18.18 in T20 internationals, while Zampa has picked up 30 scalps at a serviceable average of 27.2. Mitchell Swepson makes the squad as a backup spinner, having taken 11 wickets from his seven T20 internationals to date.
The two reserve seamers included are Josh Hazlewood and Kane Richardson. Hazlewood has been unlucky not to play more T20 internationals over the years, but he has grasped his latest opportunity, picking up 12 wickets at 16.75 across the West Indies and Bangladesh tours.
Richardson claims the final spot, having been a mainstay and important member of Australia’s T20 XI prior to the West Indies series, which he opted out of for personal reasons. Since the start of 2019 he has the third most wickets for Australia in the T20 format, having taken 20 at a strong average of 20.3.
While the likes of Riley Meredith, Andrew Tye and Daniel Sams have been in and out of Australia’s side in the last year, Richardson has been a regular, and his success warrants a place in this squad.
Likely XI
Below is the likely XI that I would select for the tournament. Naturally form in the tri-series and IPL may result in changes, while Smith’s inclusion is highly provisional.
While Smith and Marsh have been named at Nos. 3 and 4 respectively, the duo could realistically swap places.
- David Warner
- Aaron Finch (captain)
- Steve Smith (injury permitting)
- Mitchell Marsh
- Glenn Maxwell
- Marcus Stoinis
- Josh Inglis
- Ashton Agar
- Pat Cummins
- Mitchell Starc
- Adam Zampa
Reserves: Marnus Labuschagne, Matthew Wade (specifically to cover Josh Inglis), Dan Christian, Mitchell Swepson, Kane Richardson, Josh Hazlewood and Jordan Silk (injury cover).
Clear as mud
Guest
just checked proposed anchor Smith. he hasn't batted more than 38 balls in the same time period. has mostly come in before Maxwell and batted slower. in my view contributes to the need for Maxwell to go fast early, which, ipso factory, sometimes shortens his innings (risk/reward)
Clear as mud
Guest
then your anchor prob isnt doing much anchoring Warner Finch M Marsh Maxwell then the rest
maverick
Roar Rookie
Inglis will be a big improvement with the gloves atleast. And right on Agar. He is a good no. 8 but unfortunately that 98 he scored on his test debut still on people's mind. But the reality is that he hasn't scored a single international 50 since then and only averages around 23 in shield cricket. Hardly the numbers you wantnfrom your no 7 or 6.
maverick
Roar Rookie
Fair enough.
Gee
Roar Rookie
Ingliss to debut in the WC in my preferred team too, he might struggle but could he be much worse than Wade, Carey or Philippe? Good idea to ditch Agar from 7 too, it's not working. Stoinis back in the team shows how little depth we have.
Tom
Faulkner? Its not 2013 anymore. He's been horrible for years
Tom
Need Kane in the side to bowl at the death, he's a far better death bowler than Jhye
Patrick
Roar Pro
I like Sams, and agree he's probably the most logical replacement for Christian. The issue that I have with him is that he's only really had one good season with the bat to date. Whilst my gut feel is that he offers a very good hitting option, we need to remember he only averages 13 in T20 cricket. At this stage, his selection should really be contingent upon his bowling. Unfortunately he's conceded almost 11.5 runs per over in his international career to date. I know he's only played four games, but he conceded more than 10 rpo in all 4 games, so it's not like one bad match skewed his figures. I don't want to draw a line through him, because I think he's got the attributes to be a good player for Australia in T20 cricket- I just don't know if he's there yet. Personally I would prefer to stick with Christian, given his experience in T20 cricket across the globe. If you pull together his performances in the BBL, PSL, and T20 Blast over the last year or so, he's done particularly well as a death hitter, even if we haven't quite seen the best of him at international level. I'll admit that it's probably a decision that could go either way.
Patrick
Roar Pro
Not sure whether your questioning having 7 frontline bowlers in the squad, or having 7 bowling options (4 frontline and 3 all-rounders) in the XI, so I'll address both. From a squad perspective, there are 7 bowlers included for the same reason that there are 10 options to bat in the top 7 (11 if you include Agar). The extras are covering injury, form, or tactical decisions to change the bowling lineup due to conditions or opposition. In terms of the XI, I think you should ideally have 6 bowling options, as it provides a safety net. If one guy is getting smashed (which can happen to anyone in T20), then you don't want to be forced to bowl him for 4 overs. Having the sixth bowling option helps alleviate this. I've included 7 bowling options instead of 6, largely because I would have selected all three all-rounders on batting alone. Maxwell would make Australia's all-time T20 XI, Marsh is in career best form, and Stoinis has performed well in a role that many have struggled in. "we need more guys who can bat longer than 10 balls" - If your reference point are the recent tours of Bangladesh and the West Indies, then I agree. I'd argue that with Finch, Warner, and Smith (or Labuschagne) returning, and Marsh in excellent form, the top 4 are all pretty capable of batting deep into the innings. It's also worth noting that the team bats pretty deep with Agar at 8- you would hope that a full-strength team with a number 8 with 3 First Class centuries to his name would be capable of lasting 120 balls.
maverick
Roar Rookie
Sams is the replacement for Christian. Better bowler and equally good hitter.
Tony
Roar Guru
Why would you need 7 bowlers? It's only 20 overs, we need more guys who can bat longer than 10 balls.
Johan
Guest
Australia has never won the World Cup in this format and with that proposed team I am confident this streak will continue!
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
Playing in the UAE we need to pick a side to suit the conditions. I'd have a floating batting order with: Finch Warner Smith Maxwell Labuschagne M Marsh Inglis Agar Starc Cummins Zampa / Swepson The top 5 are the best bats in the country in any white ball format. M Marsh is the only player to impress at all in these tours. Inglis needs to be brought in and the bowlers pick themselves with Hazlewood, Richardson etc also in the squad. It means we have 2 front line spinners in the 11 plus 2 part spinners (Maxy, Labu), plus Starc, Cummins and Marsh.
Raju Fernando
Roar Rookie
very bad team for t20. squad for t20 wc usman wade marsh smith finch warner maxwell jason ellis swepson zampa starc handscomb faulkner agar
Jeff
Roar Rookie
I'm not sure I could think of a replacement for Christian, which is real issue for me. Re Maxwell, yes I have no issue with moving him around to suit match circumstances, just as a default starting XI I'd have him lower on the assumption Aus is 3 down around 8-12 overs.
Ace
Roar Rookie
Good combination...on paper at least. Immediately, you always have a view on the odd selection and I guess I have one or two. I'm not a Stoinis fan anymore and with Marsh a lock in atm he covers the all rounder role. I would not be unhappy for Silk to be in the team as he is another Maxwell type that saves runs as much as he makes them. The other selection I favour is Hazlewood. His economic bowling surely rates him as automatic selection. But , good article..thanks for that
Patrick
Roar Pro
On Maxwell, I think Australia needs to be flexible with where he bats. If they get off to a flier, then it makes sense to send him in at 4 or even 3, to maintain the run rate. If they've lost a couple of quick wickets and need to consolidate for a few overs, then maybe they send someone else in- I reckon Inglis would be good in this situation, but that's just a gut feel. I share the concerns about Christian, hence why I left him out of the 11. For some time, I've wanted to see him given an opportunity, considering his performances around the globe in franchise cricket. I'm glad he was selected for these tours, but agree that he didn't grasp the opportunity as well as he could have. So yes, his selection in my squad is certainly speculative, and based partly on my personal preference, and hope that he can replicate domestic form on the international stage. I think it's important to remember though, that in his T20 International career to date, he's only had 8 completed innings. There isn't a huge body of work to make judgement on, particularly given he's playing a high risk role. I'm far from sold on him, but I don't see too many guys making a stronger case for the late order hitting role (except those who made my 11). Out of curiosity, who would you have chosen instead of him?
Arj
Roar Rookie
Starting team looks solid. You could argue having Inglis that low isn't good for him, but at the top there isn't room. Also at seven he'll have license to swing hard straight away, similar to the way England have tried Liam Livingstone at number 7. A couple personal preferences I have, I'd rather Jhye Richardson over Kane, and would try to have Daniel Sams in the squad.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Hard to disagree with the starting eleven. I have my doubts about Stoinis, but who plays in his place? Josh Inglis is the unknown factor here (at international level), but if his recent Blast form is capable of being replicated I'd push him up to 5 and swap Maxwell down to 7. Even if Inglis were to stay at 7, I'd have Stoinis ahead of Maxwell (Stoinis needs time to get his scoring rate going). Some will have any issue with Maxwell coming in so low, but my issue with Maxwell is he simply doesn't last enough balls to warrant batting 4 or 5. Loss of regular wickets is a problem for Australia and puts too much pressure on the team overall. Maxwell had a stellar innings in Wellington where he took 70 off 31, but outside of that, his longevity at the crease has been poor across 2020 and 2021. He's been dismissed in all innings (batting at #4 for all but two innings) and his balls faced have been 2, 18, 11, 2, 13, 36, 5, 5, 31, 9, 2. As for the squad, I have my reservations about Christian. He had the explosive 5-sixes over against Shakib, but he also struggled too much for mine in the two series overall - not just getting out cheaply, but soaking up way too many balls without getting the ball away; For example: - in the first WI game, Christian came in at 6 in the 11th over with Aus well and truly in control of the game going at 10.50RPO and needing just 38 from 57, Christian caused a complete momentum loss scoring 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 2, 1, 1, 2, 1, 0, wkt. Wickets fell whilst he was at the crease and ultimately the lower order was bundled out for an 18 run loss - in the second WI game, Aus was pretty much done needing 17 an over from the last 5, but Christian seemed incapable of even giving it a shot, scoring 1, 0, 1, 0, 4, 0, 2, 1, wkt - in the third BD game, Christian came in with Aus needing 34 from 17. He scored 1, 4, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 1, finishing not out and BD won by 10 runs. If he's in at 6 or 7 to be the explosive finisher, he's failing at it badly.
josh
Roar Rookie
I'd go 3 spinners as default in the UAE. Swepson in for Cummins. Our issue is still batting.