Cricket Australia is set to launch a review into its ICC T20 World Cup 2016 campaign which once again ended on a disappointing note for the World Champions. Australia was knocked out before the knock-out stages for the second consecutive time in the T20 World Cup and it seems that there is something wrong for them in the shortest version of the game.
Australia, the number one ranked side in both Tests and ODIs, have failed to replicate that success in the T20 format where they have always been the perennial underachievers. Despite having some of the most sought-after T20 players in their side, they have failed to deliver on the big stage. Australia’s best performance in the T20 World cups so far is when they came runners-up in the 2010 edition.
Though Australia aims to be the number one side in each and every format, yet it seems that the interests of the national T20I side lags behind the Test and ODI sides. Australia currently stands at 6th place in the ICC T20I rankings and it seems that Cricket Australia will try to improve on that at the earliest.
However, former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin feels that his country doesn’t need to change its approach to the game’s shortest format. Haddin also does not see any need to schedule extra T20 internationals.
"I think we've got it right," Haddin said of Australia's priorities. He also added, "Look at how successful the Big Bash has been. We're doing some really good things in T20, we've got some of the best T20 players in the IPL.”
Failed to click in the big tournaments
He also pointed out the fact that they have failed to click in the big tournaments. According to him, it’s a bit of balancing act to make sure that they prioritize Test Cricket and cherish every moment of that.
Retired all-rounder Shane Watson earlier said that the T20 side suffered from a lack of continuity but understood the need to rest star players. Legendary spinner Shane Warne also lambasted the selectors and the team management for their failure in the recently concluded T20 World Cup. According to him, the deadly opening duo of Aaron Finch and David Warner shouldn’t have been broken.
With Australia set to host the next edition of the T20 World Cup, the onus will surely be on them to deliver it on home soil. CA's head of cricket Pat Howard said the national T20 team needed to improve for Australia to achieve their goal of being No.1 in all forms.
"We will review all aspects of our preparation and performance because we genuinely believed we had a team that could win.” Howard said.
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