Cricket: Phoenix-like, Australia has risen for the Ashes

Love is in the air. A plane load of it, along with the Australian men’s first T20 World Cup trophy, are hurtling their way back to Australia and the Ashes.

The Australian cricket team on the team bus following their historic T20 World Cup win

Love is in the air. A plane load of it, along with the Australian men’s first T20 World Cup trophy, are hurtling their way back to Australia and the Ashes.

Australia won the T20 World Cup final in the early hours of Monday morning Australian time, beating perennial bridesmaids New Zealand in a final few predicted they would be part of.

They boarded a flight with a swagger that would have been noted by an English team who were favourites in the tournament, and their fellow passengers.

England had been made to bide their time in the UAE while their underrated Ashes opponents triumphed. The stale-beer smell of someone else’s victory could never have been so odious.

The victory was a redemption song for so many in Aaron Finch’s side, and on the sidelines. Hero of the match for his brutal 77no from 50 deliveries was the country’s favourite whipping boy Mitch Marsh, the only man in the starting eleven to be dropped during the tournament.

He and dad Geoff become the first father-son duo to both claim World Cup trophies, just as Mitch Starc and his wife Alyssa Healy become first husband and wife pairing to claim T20 crowns.

Coach Justin Langer had been under pressure regarding his methods since the Indians beat Australia last summer, but not a word more of that need be whispered ever again and he faces the Ashes having developed a stronger bond with his boys.

Opener David Warner was recently discarded by his IPL franchise and suffered the humiliation of being stripped of its captaincy and left behind in the hotel for one match. He was written off mid-tournament by some, but starred in both the semi and the final and was awarded player of the tournament on Monday morning.

Matthew Wade and Aaron Finch were considered unfashionable. Glenn Maxwell unreliable. Stoinis and Steve Smith unremarkable, and the outfit considered outdated and underwhelming by all the best judges.

Australia celebrates their T20 World Cup success. Picture: Getty Images

When the winning runs were scored, Stoinis ran from the rooms towards Marsh with Adam Zampa in tow. The trio embraced as if thrown together by the Hadron Collider, it was a moment as emphatic as it was heartfelt.

“The key is this group of boys – we actually love each other, it is beautiful,” Stoinis said later.

Marsh was not coy on the subject either. “What stands out for me most is just the love in this team,” he said.

“I’m playing for my teammates. I’m not going out there to play for my spot, or show people, or prove people wrong.”

Marsh’s performance in the tournament was so compelling some are wondering if his form and confidence can be converted into a Test recall.

Marcus Stoinis leads the celebrations in the changing rooms. Picture: Getty Images

“I know it’s often spoken about, my journey and the ups and downs. But all those experiences just build resilience,” he said. “That sort of stuff has got me to the point where I was able to go out and perform in a World Cup final – and I leaned on all those experiences.”

Central to the squad’s performance appears to be Langer’s decision to take a back seat, in the process abandoning the coaching methods of a lifetime and allowing this group of senior players to go about it the way they felt was best.

Langer was confronted on the eve of the series and told his methods did not sit well with the team. He called the experience “humbling” and he promised to change, but few believed he would.

“He’s been great,” Finch said after the game. “The vibe around the group has been unbelievable. Just how well everyone is getting along. There’s a lot of time spent in each other’s rooms and the team room and just chilling out – the lunches, the breakfasts.

“I think that just adds to the environment. JL has played a part in that as well and that’s great reward for him as well as the players.

“It’s had ups and downs along the way, don’t get me wrong. Never smooth sailing. When you’re in bio bubbles it’s always difficult. Guys got along very well, played golf together, hung out, been able to relax and just enjoy each other’s company.

“But when you’re in each other’s company 24-7, of course there’s going to be issues at times, that’s a part of being in a team. But there’s always music playing in the corridors of the hotel, everyone’s doors have always been open – it’s been brilliant.”

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