Australia still lacks T20 depth and power

Adam Zampa could be Australia’s spin weapon, along with Ashton Agar (Picture: IDI/Getty Images)

After two games at the 2016 World Twenty20 in India, Australia still does not look assured in the format – even after a blistering innings against South Africa in a three-match warm-up series.

Usman Khawaja’s purple patch continued with 58 in the win against Bangladesh, but Australia’s next highest score was 26 (15 balls) from Glenn Maxwell.

Adam Zampa’s 3/23 was also noteworthy, but there is still an overarching problem: the Aussies haven’t played to the conditions, and need to sort out a few more batting woes.

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CWC 2015: Sri Lanka: Mentally tough, physically awesome

Tilakaratne Dilshan plays away on the off side (picture: AFP)

(In conjunction with Infinity Cricket)

They’ve safely qualified for the quarter-finals.  Only Australia and New Zealand were able to defeat them comfortably; everyone else hasn’t really come close to the high-flying Sri Lankans.

Much of the credit can go to the incredible, well-oiled machine that is Kumar Sangakkara.  Four centuries, an average of 124, and 496 runs during the tournament have made a supreme statement of the class of the 37-year-old that he’s not stopping just yet.

CWC 2015: Australia v England – Aussies set to fire at home

Steve Smith in the ODI Tri-Series (photo: Getty Images)

(Read here for the same post on Infinity Cricket)

ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP: AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND

(Prediction: Australia. Both teams have talent, but Australia is putting it together with consistent performances)

AUSTRALIA

A home ground advantage in sport usually equates to visiting opponents being clinically beaten.

The way the Australians have prepared for the World Cup is ideal.  Back atop the ODI rankings, and a very convincing tri-series against England and India means their opponents need to watch out.

Cricket: Behind the Microphone with Jim Maxwell

Jim Maxwell (photo: The Australian)

International cricket takes people all over the world, to some amazing places.  Jim Maxwell recounted some of his experiences, and working with some commentary big names, to Davis Harrigan

Not many Australian sports commentators could say they have quite the resume that Jim Maxwell has.

From a trainee to sports commentator, and more than 270 test matches to his name, Maxwell has seen Australia and the world from the commentary box, microphone in hand.

Cricket: IPL over, but entertainment galore

2014 champions Kolkata (photo: BCCI)

Let’s start off with a figure, and that figure is 714.  That’s the number of sixes hit across edition seven of the Indian Premier League, and 60 matches.

This tournament provided one of the greatest spectacles in the history of Twenty20 cricket.  From game one between the Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders, the stage was set.

Cricket: IPL appeal in Australia still exists, just harder to find

Glenn Maxwell belts a six during his 95 (photo: BCCI/ESPN Cricinfo)

The United Arab Emirates is the stage for the 2014 Indian Premier League – installment seven – and after just four matches, there has already been a platform set for all teams to play high quality cricket.

Let’s stop there for a moment, however.  How does the world see such a contest, and in particular, Australia?

Cricket: World Twenty20: Did Australia blow expectations in Bangladesh?

The expressions from Bailey & Starc sums up Australia’s campaign (photo: Getty Images)

Australian Twenty20 captain George Bailey had big shoes to fill, after the national side won an astonishing 12 of 13 games against England during the recent summer.

Travelling to Bangladesh red hot on form, things took a turn the moment Pakistan wielded the willow in their first group game in Mirpur.

Cricket: More Than The Pitch: George Bailey

George Bailey in action against England, September 2013 (photo: ESPNCricinfo)

He has been an integral part of the Tasmanian Tigers domestic cricket side since being recruited in 2002. Captaincy duties came during the 2009-2010 season, and now George Bailey is beginning to show Australia why he has been touted for so long as a regular for the national side.

Cricket: Australian Champions Trophy 2013 Squad Preview

ICC CT13 Logo (from thenewstribe.com)

It’s almost “the battle before the Ashes“.  Australia will be in England from June 3-23 for the very last installment of the ICC Champions Trophy.  If you wanted Ashes preparation, this is it.

While a few players in the Champions Trophy squad will not be participating in the coveted test series, a fair majority of the team will have several matches to adjust to both the playing and weather conditions in England.  Perhaps not outright favourites for the Ashes, Australia still boasts a very good one day record at the tournament, and will be looking to secure another piece of silverware.

The following is a look at each player in the squad and how they can help Australia to victory:

Cricket: India v Australia: Test Series Analysis and Review

Michael Clarke & MS Dhoni pose w/ the Border-Gavaskar Trophy
(from examiner.com)

Australia was thrown a curveball from the moment they stepped on to the sub-continent in February.  In the end that curveball proved to be the side’s ultimate downfall.

Batting and bowling failures alike culminated in a shocking (and at times horrifying) 4-0 series loss to India.

There are plenty of words to describe each test, each player, and each moment, but none more so than disappointing.  Even travelling with a team that had largely not played in Indians conditions before, Australia was rolled, crushed and decimated over the past month in a way no-one expected.