The Australian cricket team sits 9th in T20 world rankings coming into this week’s World Cup in Sri Lanka. 9th! How did that happen? Cricket purists may shun the importance of the shortest form of the game because ‘hit and giggle’ isn’t real cricket anyway but the value of the competition this year cannot be understated. Falling within the transitional period between winter and summer, a successful campaign will do away with any post footy season blues. Let’s face it, if you’re not a Hawks/Bulldogs (ok, maybe Storm or the Sea Eagles) supporter, then you’ll be in need of something to cheer about. In a time were a successful national cricket team is damned near our birth-rite, our T20 slide is unacceptable. To borrow a phrase from prime-time current affairs TV, it’s down right un-Australian! The only way is up. Here are our top five players to watch:
David Warner
Warner was once a player once pigeonholed as a T20 specialist but we have watched him mature and grow into a damaging Test opener. This week he will need to ditch the restraint (not that he has much) and just swing for the fences. When in form he can single handily win a game with the bat and in the field. He needs to be firing if Australia are to climb up the rankings.
Shane Watson
Strong opening stands from Watson and Warner are essential. It’s not fair to call Watson the strait man to Warner’s extravagant stroke maker because he can crunch a ball with the best of them but there is more pressure on him to ensure he doesn’t throw his wicket away. He also has an excellent record in the sub-content. It’s Watson’s batting that is seen as a match winner but he is also a first rate medium pacer who can tie down an end if needed.
David Hussey
As a former world T20 player of the year, Hussey is a genuine triple threat. He’s an excellent batsman specialising in the later part of the innings when the spinners are locking it down, he’s is a top rate fielder, and can throw down some valuable off spinners which can slow a run rate and snare some vital wickets. Australia needs it’s younger players to step up this year if they are to progress deep into the competition, but it’s the clear heads of veterans such as Hussey who will keep a lid on team emotions.
Pat Cummins
Cummins’ natural asset is his raw pace. Injury has hampered the start of a very promising international career but through his limited opportunities, he has proven to be world class. Australian officials are looking to him to take the mantle as our premier strike bowler. He’s pretty handy with the bat too, which has become a necessity for top T20 bowlers.
Glen Maxwell
With only two T20 games under his belt, off-spinning all rounder Maxwell has been described as Australia’s X-factor. Having recently helped Australia overcome Pakistan with a gutsy unbeaten 56 in a 50 over match, Maxwell comes into the squad with the confidence to match his promise. It’s not like Maxwell has been slated as the sole savior of Australian T20 cricket but Australia could really use another middle order star.
So we look to this World Cup like we have no other. Forget the cheerleaders, forget the Rock and/or Roll music, forget all the garish fanfare that we associate with T20. Let’s just win the damn thing as it’s been a pretty lean year for Aussie sports fans.
