T20 Cricket World Cup: Does Australia lack the killer edge to make finals?

Australia’s T20 World Cup defence rests on a thumping win against Afghanistan — or an England failure. Robert Craddock examines how the hosts were humbled.

When a volcanic Marcus Stoinis hoisted Australia to victory in the World Cup match against Sri Lanka in Perth, some fans saw a team about to set the tournament ablaze.

Some others saw it differently.

“Your boys seemed a bit flat for some reason,’’ one Sri Lankan player said later.

“It’s not like them. But there wasn’t a lot of spark there. There just seemed to be something missing.’’

Interesting point. Australia has won two of its three matches but there has certainly been no obvious emotional electric current running through their campaign in the way that is often a key trait of a home team at a World Cup.

It’s one of the reasons why Australia has to beat Afghanistan by around 60 runs on Friday or face a humbling exit from the tournament if England beats Sri Lanka as they are expected to do in their final match.

Rival nations think something is missing from Australia, despite players like Marcus Stoinis showing strong emotion on the field. Picture: Getty Images.

Australia were dreadful in their opening game against New Zealand, better against Sri Lanka and so-so against Ireland — but they are yet to truly click.

It may be five minutes to midnight but there is still time for the potholes to be plugged and the ship saved.

One conspicuous trait of Australian white-ball teams is that they have traditionally been ruthless destroyers of emerging nations.

Over the years in World Cups Australia has scorched Scotland, minced Namibia, ironed out Ireland and annihilated Afghanistan with a fierce tempo that will need to be replicated at the Adelaide Oval on Friday.

If Australia gets humming, anything is possible. If they scored 200 and skittled Afghanistan for 120 then suddenly England is the team under pressure and would have to beat Sri Lanka by 20 on a potentially spin-friendly SCG. That’s no gimme.

While Australia seem fired up at stages, rival players have said the team seemed flat in their World Cup wins. Picture: Getty Images.

There’s no doubt Aaron Finch’s form has been a potential distraction – but he has also been the side’s leading run-scorer. David Warner is yet to find form but does have a reputation for shining when the heat is on so he could be the man who changes the mood.

There’s no doubt this side, one of the oldest in the tournament, is collectively getting near the end of the road – but they did win a World Cup together in the UAE just last year.

No bowler has taken more than three wickets for the tournament – but they have been steady enough.

The big thing missing has been a killer edge. Great Australian white ball teams have an aura about them. Get in their road and they run you over. Right now, this one doesn’t have this quality.

Australia must find their spark if they want to make the World Cup finals. Picture: AFP.

Former World Cup winning all-rounder Simon O’Donnell made the interesting observation on SEN that without former coach Justin Langer around some players might be feeling too comfortable.

“When people start to think that they’re more in charge than they are, they might start to take the odd shortcut, do something a little differently and the preparation isn’t quite there as it generally would,” O’Donnell said.

But the new vibe under coach Andrew McDonald did net Australia a Test series win in Pakistan and a drawn series in Sri Lanka.

It’s a debate of many contrasting themes and only one thing is certain … it’s time for Australia scorch some rubber.

WARNER CAPTAINCY ‘PAROLE’ DEFIES COMMON SENSE

David Warner could become a leader without a title at the pointy end of Australia’s T20 World Cup defence.

With a cloud hanging over captain Aaron Finch after a hamstring injury, Warner’s short game experience could be invaluable for Australia but there is a catch.

As Cricket Australia is still reviewing Warner’s lifetime leadership ban following the Sandpapergate scandal in 2018 Warner remains unable to host an official leadership post.

Warner captained Australia in the final T20 series before Sandpapergate (against New Zealand) and Australia were mulling over giving him the position fulltime.

One press box wag at the Gabba quipped if Warner is seen directing on field traffic in Australia’s final pool match against Afghanistan we may see senior Cricket Australia officials storming on to the field to tell him to put his arms down.

Of course it won’t come to that but Finch’s injury does spotlight the lack of urgency in CA’s attempts to address Warner’s ban.

Matthew Wade is expected to be captain if Finch doesn’t play.

Glenn Maxwell, David Warner and Aaron Finch of Australia sing the national anthem before the T20 World Cup match against Ireland at The Gabba.

Warner won’t be given a leadership post but he is free to do what he likes in terms of offering on field advice.

Cricket Australia is currently reviewing its code of conduct laws and a decision on whether Warner can return to a leadership post in any capacity is likely to be made by December.

It has been speculated he could be given a “parole’’ from his ban which seems an odd move given that common sense would suggest he should be either banned or released from his sentence.

Why would you bother appointing a leader on “parole’’?

Matthew Wade (left) is expected to be Australia’s captain if Finch is out injured.

When Finch went off with a hamstring injury during Ireland’s innings at the Gabba on Monday Warner helped out bowlers such as Adam Zampa with their fields.

Several other voices chimed in and commentator Nasser Hussain said although Wade was captain Australia was in danger of having too many skippers.

But Warner is an experienced T20 leader and his experience could be vital in the closing matches of the tournament.

Australia are yet to produced their best form and have looked slightly off-key for most of the tournament.

If Finch is out the new leaders will have a major role to play with former Test keeper Ian Healy spotlighting the lack of aggression among the bowlers against an Irish team who wriggled from 5-25 to 137.

“Our quicks didn’t try enough chin music,’’ Healy said on SEN. “Lorcan Tucker who made 71 off 48 was hitting us in front of square. Test out his top edge down to fine leg if he wants to play shot. Really fire up and get some chin music happening.’’

Originally published as T20 Cricket World Cup: Does Australia lack the killer edge to make finals?