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: 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: Scheduling squeezes all too apparent among the chaos

IPL 2014 is taking over the cricket fixture for two months (picture: Informal Sports)

Trying to work international cricket around domestic – and vice versa – does not really work.  Why?

For starters, too many matches are crammed within timeframes which leaves players fatigued – and next, they’re jumping to another country for the next tour.  International teams rarely come home.

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: The Ryobi Cup: Current Rundown

Victorian Bushrangers players celebrate after a wicket in the Ryobi Cup (photo: cricket.com.au)

Talk to Australian cricket fans this season and they are well divided over the domestic structure.  However, the much more condensed one day competition has its benefits as we get ever closer to the Cricket World Cup.

Playing all 36 games over the space of the month lets two things happen; there is a sole focus on red ball cricket for the majority of the season, and this is a great advantage to those players looking for a spot in the test team.

Cricket: World Cup Launch

Cricket World Cup (from Online Sports Directory)

Docklands a sea of colour as 2015 Cricket World Cup fixtures announced

(the official launch was held on Tuesday, simultaneously in New Zealand) 

Several hundred people eagerly piled into the Peninsula function centre at Docklands on Tuesday morning, as the International Cricket Council (ICC) prepared to announce the venues, pools and fixtures for the 2015 Cricket World Cup, and officially launch the tournament.

Umpiring is a tricky job; but there’s definitely an upside

Australian umpire Simon Taufel in action (India Today)

I don’t envy the job sport referees, umpires and judges have.  They must make split second decisions under pressure, and they make them numerous times in a game.

Being able to make these decisions is a burden unto itself.  Faced with two teams on the field, the umpire must be the principle instigator of ensuring said teams play the game in a fair and sportsmenlike manner.  At times you are faced with player arguments, heated battles and a lot of noise directed towards you.

As a (rookie) cricket umpire myself, for the Box Hill Reporter District Cricket Association*, I have experienced all of these situations under a range of “game circumstances”.

The highs and lows of being part of a sports club

Members of the La Trobe Ultimate Frisbee team. (my photo)

Being part of something in the local community can be a fulfilling experience.  Have a look at how people are involved, and sporting clubs appear with a large number of participants.

Playing sport with a team, and not just watching it, is great fun.  You participate with like-minded people, and play well enough and there could be rewards if you put in the hard work.

I currently play for the Blackburn Cricket Club, as well as the Ultimate Frisbee team for La Trobe University.  Playing with a sporting club is a massive thrill, and it keeps me fit, healthy and at the same time, happy.

Cricket: 10 great Australian cricket moments of the 21st century

QLD Bull Ryan Harris, Feb 2013 (photo mine)

Cricket is in the blood of all Australians.  It’s our summer sport; we play it in the backyard, at a BBQ, on the street, on a field, anywhere we can find space.

For that matter, we become so engrossed in it, we can’t turn away.

Welcome to a list of 10 moments I have compiled (with the help of some Twitter discussion) of Australian cricket moments of the 21st century.  They are not listed in any particular order.

Cricket: Women just as good as men-and they need more exposure

The Australian women’s cricket team, the Southern Stars (sourced from Cricket News)

Equality is something the majority of people like to strive for, or perhaps participate in.  Sport, however, seems to be a whole different playing field at times.

Australia has a reputation for producing strong cricket sides.  However, it seems to be a little known fact that the Australian women’s cricket team, the Southern Stars, have been setting the bar across the world for women’s teams for several years now.