Mojo is back, so bring on England

ENGLAND beware! Australian cricket has its mojo back.

And, just as importantly, it suddenly has a smile on the dial – and the impact of that must not be underestimated.

To say that Australia’s stunning T20 World Cup win will have no bearing on the Ashes is to underestimate the rousing mental euphoria generated by such a win.

After a winter of grumbling and years of so-so results, Australia suddenly feels alive, armed and dangerous again.

There’s nothing like a World Cup victory to settle down team tensions and the brutally direct conversations under siege coach Justin Langer had with his players before the tournament may well have been a blessing.

Mitchell Marsh’s story is one to inspire every aspiring cricketer when they have setbacks. When Marsh dropped his bat and ran screaming in celebration towards his teammates after Glenn Maxwell struck the winning runs it was the liberation of so many pentup emotions.

The pleasing thing for Australia is that it went its own sweet way in the selection room; T20 was supposed to be a young man’s game yet Australia’s youngest player was Pat Cummins.

David Warner came good in the nick of time and finished the tournament in style. Adam Zampa was world class all the way and the bowler of the tournament. Josh Hazlewood proved you can transfer Test match line and lengths to T20 when you add a knuckle ball and a few variations.

Australia has its anchormen but because it had such an even spread of experience there was always a seasoned performer like Marcus Stoinis or Steve Smith to step up to the plater when required.