The most noticeable problem with the Australian T20 side was the disastrous loss to England on Saturday in Southampton.
Although the Australians needed 40 of 39 balls with nine wickets in hand, they collapsed spectacularly during their run and eventually lost the match by two runs.
Aaron Finch and David Warner tied for the inaugural partnership in 98 to launch a chase. But the middle order collapsed and once lost four wickets for nine runs.
Marcus Stoinis hit 5th place and in the event of death could only raise one limit from his 18 deliveries. Worryingly, the Western Australian does not need to score 50+ points for an Australian win in any format.
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Stoinis’ inability to get Australia across the finish line at the Rose Bowl should come as little surprise – the 31-year-old has been eyeing the Melbourne stars in particular for the past two seasons.
He was named a Big Bash League player after a record tournament last summer, but had to beat in the middle order under unfamiliar conditions.
Stoinis is used to setting the pace in the T20 innings and has little experience as a runner finisher.
Unfortunately for the all-rounder, the top two spots on the Australian team are undeniably occupied by veterans Finch and Warner.
In fact, there is a seemingly endless supply of batsmen in Australia to open up the powerhouse. There are six in the current T20 roster – Alex Carey, Josh Philippe, Matthew Wade, Warner, Finch, and Stoinis.
Meanwhile, several other worthy candidates are waiting at home, including D’Arcy Short, Chris Lynn and Usman Khawaja, among others.
With the exception of Glenn Maxwell, who was fired for one on Saturday, Australia lacks top-notch T20 finishers and putting Stoinis and Carey in the middle order doesn’t solve the problem.
As ESPNcricinfo reporter Andrew McGlashan pointed out On Twitter, none of the most reliable middle-tier batsmen in Australia are currently with one exception.
Former Hobart Hurricanes skipper George Bailey is currently on the Australian roster, but ironically, not as a player – as a selector.
HIGHEST BEAT RATE OF THE AUSTRALIAN BATSMAN MEDIUM ORDER IN BBL
George Bailey (Hobart Hurricanes) – 150.69
Alex Ross (Sydney Thunder) – 139.71
Matthew Short (Adelaide Strikers) – 137.64
Jonathan Wells (Adelaide Strikers) – 130.46
Daniel Christian (Melbourne Renegades) – 125.00
* At least 10 innings since 2018, stroke positions 5-7 only
None of the other four proven T20 finishers listed above have been selected for the tour to England, and Australia’s middle order will continue to stall under pressure unless the selectors reward the BBL form.
Otherwise, Australia risks losing its coveted first place in the ICC T20 rankings.
The second T20 game against England starts at 11pm on Sunday evening.
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