Call for Aussie change of tack

CLARK TIPS OVERHAUL

AUSTRALIA’S T20 World Cup is over and the post mortem has begun with a curious selection strategy coming under the microscope.

Having won the title in the UAE last year, Australia didn’t make it out of the group back on home soil, paying a heavy price for its opening defeat to New Zealand.

Making the pill that bit harder to swallow is the fact that it was England that drove the final nail into Australia’s coffin by beating Sri Lanka on Saturday and securing its own passage into the semi final.

Former Aussie quick Stuart Clark told the BBC’s Test Match Special that Australia “weren’t good enough” and flagged a major overhaul for the nation in the 20-over form of the game.

“There’s some guys who have been around for a while, and we have to start looking to some younger guys. Cameron Green is the only player under 29,” he said.

“I think this especially applies to the bowlers who play all three formats.

“The questions are going to be asked about what our team will look like for the next T20 World Cup, and I think half these guys won’t be there.”

So where did it all go wrong for Australia?

Australia was on the back foot early against New Zealand, conceding 3-200 before being rolled for 111 in what proved to be a fatal blow to the team’s net run rate.

Three games later against Ireland, Australia had the opportunity to cancel out the heavy defeat with an equally big win. But Australia was lacklustre in the final 10 overs as Ireland, having been 5-25, was allowed to get to within 42 runs of the hosts’ 5-179.

Michael Vaughan said that old Australian sides would’ve found a way to make a competitive total against New Zealand, and wouldn’t have taken the foot off the gas against Ireland.

“Australian sides of old certainly would’ve got 140, 150 against New Zealand and then would have blown Ireland away for 80 or 90 (runs),” Vaughan told Cricbuzzlive. “They would’ve been ruthless.

“That’s why I look at this group I don’t think they’re quite as ruthless as some of the old (Australian) teams.

“I don’t see that from this Australian team.”

Australia had one last chance to boost its net run rate against Afghanistan on Friday, but