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: Twenty20 bowling “101”-is it really that hard?

Dale Steyn v Mitchell Starc (photos: Getty Images)

Recent performances in world Twenty20 cricket – especially with the ball – has got me thinking; is there anyone in a national side that still knows how to bowl a good yorker or land it on an uncertain length for a batsman consistently?

Mitchell Starc can hardly be forgiven for his penultimate over debacle against the West Indies in the World Twenty20. 

Cricket: Players In Focus: Alastair Cook, Martin Guptill and Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle playing for the Sydney Thunder, Jan 2013 (photo mine)

Sports teams need leaders.  Whether it be a captain, or an experienced head, someone on the field needs to be able to take charge and encourage.

England captain Alastair Cook, New Zealand opener Martin Guptill and West Indian whirlwind Chris Gayle continue to light up stadiums around the world with powerful performances, and are three such players who are not only leaders for their team, but also their country.

Cook

Since taking over the test captaincy from Andrew Strauss in August of 2012, Cook immediately established himself as a captain who could also be tasked to perform at the top of the order.

Cricket: ICC World Twenty20: Australian Team Review

 

George Bailey at the ICC Twenty20 World Cup

Australia’s ICC World Twenty20 Tournament came to a close on Friday night on the back of a large 74-run loss to the West Indies.  Chris Gayle led the charge and helped the Windies post 205.  Australia never looked like threatening them, aside from a knock of 63 from captain George Bailey.

After scintillating and crushing form in their first four games, the Aussies seemed to “tone” things down against Pakistan, scraping through to the semi-finals on net run rate.  Against the West Indies, the firepower of Gayle was the key in setting up a monstrous victory.

Having come into the tournament ranked 9th, the Aussies looked the goods until their Super 8 match against Pakistan, where the question was raised: ‘what do Australia care about?’ after their appalling loss to Pakistan.

It will also serve as a reasonable base coming into the Australian summer, which commences next month.

Here is a review of each player that took to the field for Australia:

Cricket: ICC World Twenty20 Preview: Australia v West Indies

Australia’s second and final group stage match is against the West Indies at midnight September 23 AEST.

For Australia, their seven wicket win over cricketing minnows Ireland will serve as a confidence booster when they face a much tougher West Indies outfit.  With explosive opener Chris Gayle back in the side after a pay dispute, the line-up is looking much more threatening.