Cricket Australia has headaches with the selection of the 15-member squad for the upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 hosted by the USA and West Indies.
Dilemma in selection of Australia’s T20I squad
With the T20 World Cup nearing, all nations are in the final phase of the preparation for the marquee tournament. Among those, Australia is facing some dilemmas in selecting the squad for the tournament.
The Aussies completed their last T20I assignment 3-0 on Australia’s tour of New Zealand in 2024 before the World Cup. Some impressive performances during the New Zealand tour have made the squad selection a battle as youngsters put pressure on well-established players.
Fans are eagerly waiting for the announcement of representatives for Australia in the T20 World Cup. On this occasion, Matthew Wade has admitted that some players will be missing selection for the ICC tournament.
Currently, Australia has 20 players actively involved in the short format. Players like Spencer Johnson and Nathan Ellis have also should get a role if they win the selection.
Wade believes in having so many players in good form before the World Cup. “It’s going to be tight for those last few spots, I don’t envy George’s (chief selector George Bailey) position,” Wade said. “I wouldn’t want to be picking the 15, there’s going to be a couple of unlucky players.
“But as I said there’s always injury around, guys that are outside the 15 may get opportunities as well so we’re happy we’ve got so much depth.”
Australia looks well set with the top order as Travis Head and David Warner are likely to continue their opening partnership and Mitchell Marsh will be batting at the No.3 position.
Glenn Maxwell and Tim David who are short format specialists are certain to feature at the World Cup, while Marcus Stoinis, Steve Smith, and Short are in the competition to play in the top six.
“Heady’s got the X-factor, you saw in the 50-over World Cup, he can turn games so quickly and we’re excited to have him at the top of the order along with Davey (Warner) who’s going to be there,” Wade said.
“And then we can load up with Stoinis and David and Maxwell, and all these guys with extreme power.
“It’s an exciting time to be in the T20 squad, and I can’t wait to get started at the World Cup, to be honest.”
Wade has opened his competition with Josh Inglis for the No.7 position, while Adam Zampa is set to join the experienced trio of pacers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood.
“It’s going to be tough to squeeze in that 15, whoever you are,” Wade said.
“Smithy hasn’t played a heap of T20 cricket in the last little bit for Australia, and there will be chats around those final few positions in the 15.
“Fingers crossed he makes it, but there’s always going to be someone unlucky and I’m not sure who that’s going to be this time.”
With the marquee event set to start in June, Australia will be playing their first match of the Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 schedule against Oman on June 06 at Keningstan Oval Barbados.
