World T20 is the final frontier in Australia’s trophy chase, and Justin Langer has two years to deliver

AHEAD of Austraila’s T20 series with Pakistan, there are plenty of positives for coach Justin Langer as he prepares his team for immediate challenges and title tilts writes DARREN LEHMANN.

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JUSTIN Langer has two years to shape the side than can win a breakthrough World Twenty20 title on home soil.

Australia have risen to an ICC No.3 ranking, we are playing more T20 games and therefore improving.

I have been impressed with the mix Langer has — a really good balance between spin, pace and all-rounders. It is important to get the continuity against India in the November series — you have to decide how you want to play because you haven’t got many T20s together before the 2020 tournament.

I don’t expect too many changes apart from David Warner and Steve Smith coming back in when available next year.

Former Australian coach Darren Lehmann helped bring Australia up the ICC T20 rankings with the help of assistant Ricky Ponting (R). Picture: Brett Costello

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Strengths

Australia enjoys power hitting all the way down the order with Aaron Finch, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, D’Arcy Short and Mitch Marsh. This batting line-up can take the game up to anyone. The power play will be crucial, particularly for Australia in Australia when you can hit boundaries on big grounds.

The fielding is very dynamic, so there are no problems there. Our full-strength attack is particularly potent, with Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins interchangeable as spearheads.

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Weaknesses

We need wicket-taking spin options. Good sides have a leg-spinner taking wickets. Our spinning options have been a stumbling block at times, but when that clicks we are fine.

If we take wickets consistently all through the attack, we will put pressure on India or any opponent because we will make enough runs. It is having enough variety in your attack.

I think with time and games Adam Zampa or Ashton Agar can do jobs, and don’t discount Nathan Lyon.

Top order

I see Australia opening with Aaron Finch and D’Arcy Short. Chris Lynn should be at No.3 and Maxi at No.4.

It is one of the more dynamic top orders in world cricket and they can play different ways. Finchy set his record score of 172 against Zimbabwe in July. Short is continuing to learn his game and will get better the more he plays. Maxwell has that X-Factor, so you have a top four that can set the game alight in the first 10 overs.

D'Arcy Short has blasted his way into Australia’s T20 set-up. Picture: Sam Rosewarne

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Middle

All the guys in the middle order are crucial, whether it is Mitch Marsh, Ben McDermott, Marcus Stoinis, Travis Head or Alex Carey. They must have the power element to their game, which Marsh has, and if the game is set up by the top four, it makes the job a lot easier.

If they are in trouble, they will have to get Australia out of a hole.

McDermott is a good selection with a power game and a smart player for a young man.

Quicks

We will usually have one senior bowler, whether it is Pat Cummins, Mitch Starc or Josh Hazlewood to support the younger ones. The pace attack will have a more relevant feel for the T20.

We have depth in the all-rounders spot, with Mitch Marsh and Marcus Stoinis. We have a big-enough squad that they be will effective in all conditions, especially in Australia.

They will chop and change the attack depending on conditions. In T20 you must take wickets with the new-ball to make the spinner’s job a bit easier. Billy Stanlake can achieve anything with games under his belt.

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Spinners

Spin could play a big part this summer. There’s Adam Zampa’s leg-spin, Ashton Agar has done well and Nathan Lyon could be well suited as the finger spinner. Fawad Ahmed might even be an outside chance at some stage.

Maxwell and Short will need to bowl some overs here and there. There is enough variety in our attack to make an impact on the world circuit.

Australian grounds are bigger than subcontinent grounds and that plays into our hands in this format. Australia will embrace multiple spinners at some venues.

Chris Lynn is potentially the most explosive batsman in world cricket. Picture: AAP

Wildcard

Chris Lynn is my tip to take world cricket by storm if he can stay fit with his shoulder. If he stays strong and healthy, he can dominate.

He has shown glimpses for Australia without really nailing anything at that level, so he is the one for whom I am predicting a big summer. He has been restricted to 10 games by injury and his average of 22 doesn’t reflect his ability.

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Originally published as World T20 is the final frontier in Australia’s trophy chase, and Justin Langer has two years to deliver