If the IPL has taught us anything meaningful over the years, it’s that you must stay ahead of the competition in T20 cricket, otherwise you’ll get left behind.
In that spirit I believe Australia needs to be courageous and consider dropping Steve Smith out of their first-choice line-up completely in this home World Cup. It’s not just Smith’s strike rate that’s a problem at the moment. The issue stems from something else.
With the tournament set to be Aaron Finch’s swansong, and him guaranteed a batting spot in the side right up to the final (hopefully), Australia has to find a way to use their ageing skipper effectively. That involves moving him out of the opening position and placing him in the middle order, in a traditional anchor role, the position that Smith currently occupies.
I know Finch has expressed a desire to open the batting again, but his recent form against fast swing bowling (especially versus left-arm quicks) has been really patchy. He’s proven he can bounce back from these issues in the past, but his front pad is a magnet for inswingers at the moment.
And if he doesn’t get out LBW, he’ll be caught behind from the ball that seams away from him with pace and bounce. His reactions aren’t getting any quicker (and he’s never been exactly Kostya Tszyu on his feet anyway), so moving him down the order will give him some protection.
Finch to play a more traditional role
In men’s international T20 cricket these days, each side only has space for one traditional batter. By traditional, I mean someone who can steady the ship if your team is two wickets down for not many runs, or who can nurdle singles to feed a more positive batter the strike, if care is still required. Otherwise, T20 international cricket is just full throttle batting these days basically.
That’s certainly the case if you are playing on a normal pitch, anyway. Obviously, the situation may change if you are presented with a batting minefield at the toss, and this could be a situation in this tournament where Smith slides into the team last minute.
(Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
For that reason, and his on-field leadership skills, Smith should probably stay in the squad for the World Cup as a back-up. But if he’s going to struggle with the idea of running the drinks for the whole tournament, then just set him free and let him return to Sheffield Shield cricket.
His Test summer will thank him for it, as will his roommate, presumably.
Other opening options available
As to who opens the batting with David Warner in place of Aaron Finch, I think there are good options at hand. Josh Inglis is in the squad already. He’s never going to get better if you don’t play him at the top level (just look at Josh Philippe). Marcus Stoinis is also an option, as he benefits from more time to build an innings, or the selectors could even consider Cameron Green.
Despite the tournament being just a few days away, Australia can still make changes to their T20 squad without any penalty. The ICC gives Super 12 nations (of which Australia is one) the chance to change their squads until October 15th, without providing a reason, so Green could still come in.
It’s important to note though that there are a few caveats to this Smith demotion plan. I’m suggesting it due to the current balance of the team, and the necessity of accommodating Finch at all costs.
It may be that in two years’ time, at the next World Cup in the West Indies and the USA, the team balance is completely different. We know Steve Smith is creative, and competitive, so he could easily reinvent his T20 game by then anyway.
Simoc
Roar Rookie
Finch has exposed the selection Chair, Bailey , as a coward. How can he keep picking a recurring flop and for what reason. The reason is he is not up to the job. He is a limp Chair and Finch is able to demonstrate it time after time. If (when) Australia fail at home blame the gutless Tasmanian, Bailey. Finch is a recurring horror show!
Frank delosa
Guest
T20 and stoinis go hand in hand. Only there for the bright lights and loud sounds. If he makes the test squad this summer I swear I will not watch a single ball.......and test cricket is the absolute best. The talk of Maxwell in the test squad too is just baffling. Maxi is barely performing in ODI and T20....what makes Bailey and the boys think he would be good in tests?! If so then goodbye Ashes in 2023.
Clear as mud
Guest
Stoinis has averaged 30+ and gone at 160 over the last calendar year. he has to be in the 11.
Frank delosa
Guest
How is the world is Stoinis STILL in the conversation? Smith needs to be in the XI as the glue in the lineup. Finch needs to open or retire. Hopefully the latter. The fact the selectors are considering Stoinis as one of the best in the country is a huge reason why AUS will not win this world cup. If AUS make it past the quarter finals it will be a miracoil. Also, how Stoinis is in the TEST SQUAD discussions is beyond my imagination!?!?
bowledover
Roar Rookie
Damnit! you are right. Maxi should be in, lets say at 4! I completely overlooked him.. (he has bit quiet last few games!!)
jammel
Roar Rookie
I think we know what the T20 WCup XI will look like. Post-World Cup, Finch will go - and Smith will remain. The likes of Wade and Stoinis and even Warner will move on too I reckon. I don't think we need Agar and Zampa - Maxi and Zampa offer enough spin in most conditions. Maybe Jhye Richardson to come in in due course. Our best XI going forward should be something like: Green Head MMarsh Smith Maxwell(C) David Inglis(+) Cummins Starc Zampa Hazelwood
The Iron Dingo
Roar Rookie
Where's Maxwell in that lot? I know Marsh has been in good form but I don't see him as a like for like for Smith. That said, he pitches will probably be so good for the tournament that they might as well just stack the line-up with sloggers and hope for the best.
bowledover
Roar Rookie
Finch will open, I cant see any other option. Isnt Marsh also supposed to be a “stable” guy? There is possibly only one spot open for Smith at 4 unless Marsh cant play. penciling in Agar at 8 is more me hoping that he gets a good shot there) 1. Finch, 2. Warner., 3. Marsh, 4.[Someone], 5. Stoinis or maybe Green 6. David 7. Wade 8. Agar, 9. Starc/Cummins, 10., Zampa 11. Hazlewood
DTM
Roar Rookie
I think the selectors have made it clear that Finch is staying for this WC. To be fair, he is the best option as captain - I'm not convinced his form deserves a spot in the squad. Batting in T20 cricket is all about the team and sometimes you have to go from ball one. You cannot be a selfish batsman in T20. On the other hand, selfish batting in test cricket is almost a pre requisite for greatness. Steve Smith is a great test batsman but he's never been better than an average T20 batsman. Get him back to SS to prepare for this summer. Finch should bat at 4 and slide if necessary (but it ain't going to happen).
The Iron Dingo
Roar Rookie
Smith vs Finch as ‘the stable guy’ is a no-brainer in Smith’s favour. If Finch can’t open the batting he shouldn’t be in the team, captain or no. It’s where he’s found success and the only role he is really suitable for on a consistent basis. Smith may not be setting the world on fire at the moment but there’s bound to be at least one game where the hitters don’t come off and they need him to provide stability through to a defendable score.
ALL ABOUT BALLS
Roar Rookie
I always like a stable guy in my batting lineup, and with Finche's, 58 batting at 4 against the Windies, seemed a good balanace, instead of Smith, and the above reasons with Finch opening makes sense, the stable guy can slide down the order if the game suits. Stonis be my choice as opener, in saying that i do prefer Smith as my stable guy.