ICC World T20 2016: Australia's heavy willow to combat New Zealand's spin attack

The opening match of the Super 10s of the ICC World T20 2016 must have given a jolt the participating teams to a certain extent. While many former and current players have been criticising the rank turner at Nagpur, Australia seems to be preparing themselves for tackling the Kiwi spin-trio and the turning pitches.

After viewing the ball turning square at Nagpur, the Australian batsmen have opted for heavier bats to cart the cherry over the boundaries. Opting for different bats is not new in T20 cricket as Matthew Hayden introduced the ‘Mongoose Bat’ in the 2010 edition of the IPL.

Shane Watson, Steven Smith and James Faulkner are some of the Australian players to have shelved their normal blades and sought a heftier piece of willow for the tournament. David Warner’s Kaboom Bat is unchanged from ODIs and Tests though occasionally he is supposed to use a lighter, which depends on the ground.

The Black Caps decision to go with three spinners paid rich dividends in the opening match against India as the spinners shared nine wickets between them. The low and slow pitches must have made the Aussies think out of the box as far as the over boundaries are concerned.

Watson and Smith’s strategies for sixes

“I know some guys like Steve Smith and Jimmy Faulkner and a lot of the other guys play with the weight a little bit, especially coming into Twenty20 cricket when you’ve got a good block of Twenty20 (matches),” Watson said.

“But everyone is a little bit different. I definitely (like it), especially coming to Indian conditions as well where the wickets at times can be a bit slower and a bit lower. Having a slightly heavier bat and the wood a little bit lower (in the bat) as well comparatively to what it would be in Australia or South Africa (where wickets are bouncier). It’s more making sure I give myself the best chance (in these conditions),” continued the all-rounder.

The all-rounder’s bat is only an ounce or two heavier than his normal ones though he suggested that every little weight matters. “They are a little bit heavier so when you swing hard, which you have to in Twenty20 cricket, even if I’m unfortunate enough that I don’t totally get it, there’s still a chance of it still going over the fence, especially in smaller grounds. You need a little bit more behind your swing to be able to hopefully clear the fence”, stated the 34-year old, who had played for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.

Skipper Steven Smith does not posses the muscle power like many of his teammates but he sticks to his techniques while hitting sixes. “I try and get as strong as I can. For me, hitting sixes is about trying to keep my shape as much as possible. When I try to hit the ball too hard I probably lose a lot of that and probably bring myself down there. For me, it’s about making sure my shapes are good in my stroke play and if I hit the ball out of the middle then it’s generally going to go.”

Australia would be facing New Zealand on 18 March at the HPCA stadium in Dharamsala.