Aussies show class in ho-hum T20 series win
And, a look forward to Australia 2022 T20 world cup
Editor’s Note: Apologies for the delay in finally getting this edition out. It was written last Monday, then due to an unforeseen week, and some more pressing matters, I finally got back on it this morning. As always, I hope you enjoy the read, and thank you for being here …
It was nothing more than a consolation victory, in a lob-sided series, that represented nothing other than practice game scenarios.
Sri Lankans celebrate winning, Australia confirms most of what they already knew. So, who gained what, and was it all worth the time?
Sunday gone, Sri Lanka apologetically chased down Australia’s total of 6-154 with just one ball to spare. Recently recalled batter, Kusal Mendis, stayed on the wicket long enough to ensure the visitors' narrow consolation victory. This was just reward for their enthusiastic fans, who populated the two venues with numbers and gusto. Less can be said for the home patrons. Perhaps it wasn’t worth their time.
Sri Lanka’s batting disappointed throughout the early games; unproductive power plays, indecisiveness against spin, tardy wicket running, and a universal inability to find boundaries when required, all contributed to their below-par productivity with the willow in hand.
On the flip side of the coin, their bowling looked periodically menacing. The periods of pressure that they enabled would have been lengthened with more consistent support from the field. This was highlighted by an early in-field drop off Maheesh Theekshana, who bowled beautifully again without reward. It wasn’t so much the drop - it was the commentary - which excused the culprit due to him being on debut! They have to get past this deprecatory mindset.
Previously, the Sri Lankan team has excelled in white ball cricket, albeit when the format's modus operandi was very different. The game was less dynamic, more conservative, and positively more predictable. Smaller totals were both ubiquitous and attainable, and able to be defended. Fielding and running between the wickets barely made an appearance on the coaches whiteboard. This environment was more in tune with Sri Lanka’s rhythm.
Times have changed, and so must we.
It is difficult to argue Sri Lanka is snoozing. It has its own T20 domestic competition, it also owns a T20 World Cup, and its players continue to seek overseas playing opportunities whenever possible. Tactically it seems though, it remains focused on managing, and limiting risk. Conversely, Australia adopts a more aggressive, risk and reward strategy.
Sri Lanka won its T20 World Cup in 2014 - Australia landed their first title in 2021.
How different the playing and coaching environments are when you look back to 2014, and forward to now.
In its simplest; batters have more shots at their disposal, and bowlers possess more variations than a piece of state legislature. Coaches and support staff have a library of analytical resources to challenge any live algorithm, and selectors have an increasingly congested pool of talent to choose from.
We can also mount an argument to support the overall differing conditioning of players from then to now. Strength, bat speed (batting), throwing velocity, speed across the ground, ball speed (bowling) - all weigh heavily in Australia’s favour, when comparing the two teams. These skill-sets would also vary between the two time periods mentioned. Today’s players in the main being stronger and quicker.
With that being said …
Sri Lankan fans populated the MCG’s Bill Ponsford stand like it was half-price day at the Peliyagoda Columbo fish market. A ‘must do’ visit if you make it to the wondrous island.
Thus - enabling their heroes to thwart Australia’s march toward an unbeaten summer. That would be a perfect summer on the field, the same could not be said for the off-field performance of Cricket Australia!
Kusal Mendis led the way with a stop-start unbeaten 69*. He received robust support from captain Dasun Shanaka (35) in a match-turning 83-run partnership.
Shanaka connected with a colossal hooked six with three balls to go, leveling the scores. Daniel Sams, who replaced an indisposed Kane Richardson, removed him next ball to leave Chamika Karunaratne to seal the deal with a ball to spare. Start the car Harry Conway!
Earlier …
Matthew Wade top-scored for Australia, manipulating an unbeaten 43 from 27 balls to boost the home side after a pedestrian start.
Aaron Finch felt compelled to return to opening the innings, placing himself in a tricky match-up with Theekshana, who’s powerplay bowling was exemplary.
Australia stumbled to 2-22 from the first powerplay, and was barely crawling at 3-58 after 10 overs. Josh Inglis and Glenn Maxwell looked the pair most likely, again, to provide the partnership to launch into the back-end of the innings. Alas, Inglis fell foul of the petulant ‘Snicko’ - falling to a catch via glove and helmet.
The pugnacious Inglis was one to benefit from the week of practice games. He aggregated 155 runs at an average of 39. I’m yet to be informed if he received a congratulatory email from Mr. Mark McGowan! There is no doubting Wade as the incumbent - however; Inglis has presented his case for selection eloquently. Much, not the same as - Mr. McGowan! How we sympathise with the good folk of the West.
And then some Australia reflection ...
Indeed, Australia did confirm a lot of what they already knew.
They have a batting middle order that fits perfectly into the modern T20 batting glove; Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade, conglomerate to form an impervious triumvirate.
With Mitch Marsh and David Warner to return to the top order, alongside captain Finch, and supported by Ben McDermott and Inglis, they look robust upfront.
Anticipating this October and November (T20 World Cup, Australia 2022) - the first six overs (powerplay) will be very interesting to watch in Australian conditions, especially at that time of the year. I would imagine the early batting will need to balance aggression with judicious decision-making; we might see less spin, and more pace in the powerplay overs.
The current ICC T20 player rankings show; Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar in the bowling top ten. Toss in Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Kane Richardson, and you have a pretty sweet recipe. Not to mention Jhye Richardson, and the emerging all-round game of Daniel Sams. As mentioned earlier - Spring conditions in Australia will suit the pace attack perfectly.
Last but not least; who will be Coach, this remains an important decision. I am sure Andrew McDonald will be given the opportunity, and I am more certain he will excel.
