Australia’s quest for back-to-back T20 World Cups ended miserably, with the hosts failing to make the semi finals and facing calls for a complete overhaul.
The tournament got off to the worst possible start with a thrashing at the hands of New Zealand, and despite tight wins over Sri Lanka and Afghanistan as well as a cruisy win over Ireland, Australia fell short of a finals spot by net run rate.
The mediocre performances of the ageing Australian side had many former legends calling for some ‘soul searching’ and a re-think of how the nation approaches T20 International cricket.
Where it all started to go wrong: After sledging Trent Boult, David Warner (pictured) was then dismissed the next over for just five as Australia copped at smashing at the hands of New Zealand in the T20 World Cup opener
‘It’s disappointing for Australia to go out but they weren’t good enough,’ ex-Test star Stuart Clark told BBC.
‘They will have a debrief and a bit of soul searching.
‘There’s some guys who have been around for a while, and we have to start looking to some younger guys. Cameron Green is the only player under 29,’ said Clark.
It was a sentiment shared by many former players and top pundits, but England legend Michael Vaughan said it wasn’t just about age.
Cricket legends Stuart Clark and Michael Vaughan have both been scathing of Australia’s performance at the T20 World Cup
The honorary Aussie believes this current side just isn’t ruthless enough.
‘Australian sides of old certainly would’ve got 140, 150 against New Zealand and then would have blown Ireland away for 80 or 90 (runs). They would’ve been ruthless,’ he told Cricbuzz Live.
‘That’s why I look at this group I don’t think they’re quite as ruthless as some of the old (Australian) teams.
‘I don’t see that from this Australian team. I think they’re quite a nice team to play against,’ said Vaughan.
Aaron Finch, who has been in poor form over the past year, had another disappointing tournament – will it be the last we see of him in an Australian jersey?
Being described as a ‘nice team to play against’ is about the worst thing you can say about an Aussie sporting side, and will no doubt have former representatives shaking their heads.
It’s clear something needs to change when it comes to T20 cricket, be it at club, state or International level – but which players need to be moved on, and which players still have what it takes to contribute?
Here’s how Daily Mail Australia rated how all the Aussie players and their performances through the tournament.
Aaron Finch – 4.5
107 runs @ 53.5, strike rate: 110.3, HS: 63 (three matches)
The ultimate case for not taking batting average at face value. His one good innings came against a weak Irish attack, but in the two other more critical clashes he could only manage a strike rate of 83. Not the greatest way to start a batting innings. He has been a fine warrior for Australia, one of our greatest T20 players no doubt – but surely his number is finally up.
David Warner – 2
44 runs @ 11, strike rate 107.31, HS: 25. 3 catches (four matches)
A disappointed David Warner departs after being dismissed for 3 against Ireland
Shocking tournament. Not only did he score virtually no runs, his shot selection showed poor leadership at a time when he continues to push to be reinstated as a captain. Childish antics at Trent Boult in the opener were followed by being bowled for five, then bizarrely tried play a right-handed cover drive against Afghanistan that was not necessary and placed the side under huge run-rate pressure. Not one for the memory bank.
Mitch Marsh – 6
106 runs @ 24.5, strike rate: 130.86, HS: 45. 0 wickets @ 14. 2 catches (four matches)
A nice tournament by Marsh without being world-beating, unlike his stunning heroics in the last World Cup. Didn’t really bowl which was a shame, but he did prove to be a consistent performer at the crucial first-drop position. His 45 off 30 in the crucial Afghanistan clash was vital, but also highlighted that he probably should have gone on with the many starts he had.
Glenn Maxwell – 8
118 runs @ 39.33, strike rate: 161.64, HS: 54*. 3 wickets @ 6.33, economy rate: 6, BB: 2/14. 2 catches (four matches)
Glenn Maxwell, pictured celebrating a wicket against Ireland, was Australia’s best player in the tournament
Tight bowling probably gets him the nod over Marcus Stoinis for Australia’s top player at the tournament. Got a start with the bat in every game, not wasting a single ball as he struck at 161. His 54 off 32 in the final game was a match-winning performance and probably should have bowled more, given his effectiveness. Dynamite in the field as always.
Marcus Stoinis – 7.5
126 runs @ 42, strike rate: 161.53, HS: 59*. 1 wicket @ 87, economy rate: 9.66 (four matches)
Held the Aussie batting line-up together along with Maxwell. His 59* off 18 against Sri Lanka potentially saved the game for his side, with his remarkable half-century coming from just 16 balls after six sixes and four boundaries. Like Maxwell he didn’t waste any balls and his clean hitting was a stand-out. Putrid with the ball in hand though, just fed batters like a Jugs bowling machine.
Tim David – 5
26 runs @ 26, strike rate: 144.44, HS: 15* (three matches)
Much-hyped prior to the tournament thanks to his fairytale journey to the national side, unfortunately David didn’t get much opportunity or do anything with the ones he did get. Did have a nice mini cameo against Ireland.
Matthew Wade – 2
15 runs @ 7.5, strike rate: 100, HS: 7*. 2 catches, 1 stumping (four matches)
Is this the last we see of Matt Wade in an Australian uniform? The wicketkeeper (pictured being bowled during the game against Afghanistan) only managed 15 runs for the tournament and is now 34
The last we will see of Matt Wade in an Aussie uniform. Like Finch, the 34-year-old warrior has been incredible for Australia over the years, but this tournament was not one of those times. Did his job with the gloves, but offered nothing at number 7.
Mitchell Starc – 4
3 wickets @ 34, economy rate: 8.5, BB: 2/43 (three matches)
Controversially dropped for the last match against Afghanistan, Starc, like the rest of the so-called fast bowling cartel, was rather expensive. That being said, he looked in great touch against Sri Lanka and Ireland, and most believe the decision to drop him for Richardson was wrong. Always a threat.
Pat Cummins – 3.5
2 wickets @ 44, economy rate: 8.25, BB: 2/28. 3 catches (four matches)
Pat Cummins, pictured after missing a run-out against New Zealand, had a disappointing tournament with the ball
He IS human after all. Not a great tournament for Cummins, who was completely spanked against New Zealand and Sri Lanka when he was needed most. Should he focus on Tests and 50-over cricket?
Adam Zampa – 7.5
5 wickets @ 16, economy rate: 6.66, BB: 2/19 (three matches)
Easily the pick of the Aussie bowlers. Had to miss a match due to illness, but was strong in the other three. Didn’t offer the same wicket-taking threat as he did at the last World Cup, but was that because teams were just content to see him off with runs much easier to come by against the quicks? A crucial cog.
Josh Hazlewood – 7
5 wickets @ 24.8, economy rate: 8.26, BB: 2/33. 1 catch (three matches)
Josh Hazlewood celebrates a wicket against Sri Lanka. The big quick was the most impressive of Australia’s fast bowlers in the tournament
The best of Australia’s three big quicks, Hazlewood was solid, if unspectacular. Copped a battering in the first game against New Zealand, but rebounded well and was much steadier opening up for the rest of the tournament.
One-gamers
Cameron Green – 4
3 runs off 2 balls, 0/13 off 2 overs
Green was thrown in the deep end for his first game at the tournament, opening up in place of Finch against Afghanistan. It didn’t go well, but he did at least send down a couple of tidy overs.
Steve Smith – 2
4 runs off 4 balls
Steve Smith makes an acrobatic attempt at stopping a ball against Afghanistan – his sole game for the tournament
Hit a boundary then was out LBW playing a decidedly ugly shot to Naveen-ul-Haq against Sri Lanka – went about as well as anybody (aside from the Aussie selectors, clearly) expected.
Kane Richardson – 2
1-48 off 4 overs
Parachuted into the bowling line-up in place of the axed Mitchell Starc, Richardson did not fare well. McDonald said he was just ‘unlucky’ after the match, but to stomach that. Was absolutely spanked…at least Starc is always a wicket-taking threat.
Ashton Agar – 7.5
1-25 off 4 overs
Played against Sri Lanka earlier in the tournament and looked very tidy. A bit surprising he didn’t play more games but the Aussies were obviously intent on picking their big quicks. Proved himself very tough to get away.