BBL stars boost Aussie T20 hopes
Fans at the SCG can expect some fireworks after captain David Warner gave his batsmen a licence to thrill in the first match of the Twenty20 tri-series against New Zealand tonight.
With Aaron Finch ruled of the series opener with a hamstring injury, Big Bash League stars D’Arcy Short and Chris Lynn are almost guaranteed a berth in the Australian team, with the skipper yet to decide who will open the innings with him in Sydney.
Lynn has smashed 457 runs for Brisbane in the past two years, at a strike-rate of 172, and became the first player to hit 100 BBL sixes last month.
This year Short (pictured) has been the star man, hitting a tournament-high 504 runs at a strike rate of 147 for Hobart.
Warner said he wanted both players to play in the same style against the Black Caps and England during the series.
“What comes with that is playing with freedom and clarity and knowing your game so well,” he said.
“You don’t need to change anything when you come to this level because you got here because of the way you play.
“That’s the message I got across to the guys. If you see the ball there, hit it ... just go for it. We’re all about executing your skills and doing what you do best. That’s how you got here.”
Both Warner and Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson have delayed naming their final line-ups with the SCG pitch described as soft by the New Zealand captain.
Alex Carey is also an option at the top of the order after opening for Adelaide Strikers.