Australia’s final 20-over series before the T20 World Cup next February is done and dusted, with the hosts falling short to India with a 2-1 scoreline.
A total of 16 players were used across he five-match series, and while some players cemented their spot in the starting XI for the global tournament next year, others will be all-in on the Big Bash to prove their worth in the shortest format.
Foxsports.com.au rates every Australian player who played in their five-match T20I series against India.
Watch South Africa’s Tour of India: Every Test, ODI & T20 match LIVE & EXCLUSIVE on FOX CRICKET, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
SEAN ABBOTT— 2
N/A wickets at N/A, BB 0/56, ER 16
It was just the one appearance this series for Sean Abbott before preparing to return to New South Wales’ red-ball side, and it was one to forget. The 33-year-old got tonked for four fours and as many sixes in his 3.3 overs down in Hobart, mostly courtesy of Washington Sundar and Abhishek Sharma. Took a very good in-field catch diving forward in Melbourne.
XAVIER BARTLETT — 7
Four wickets at 31, BB 2/39, ER 7.83
Was backed in by selectors to play all five matches, and at his best looked a real handful for India. Got the tap once in Melbourne, but walked away with two wickets from his four overs and 39 runs conceded. Evidently a player selectors want to invest in long-term, and rightly so.
TIM DAVID — 6
89 runs at 29.67, HS 74, SR 181.63
Hit a whirlwind 74 off just 38 rocks down in Hobart, inclusive of an eye-watering 129m six straight down the ground. Came to the crease in the third over of that match and looked at ease, with questions now to come about where exactly the big-hitter should bat come the T20 World Cup. In the last 12 months, David has transitioned from Australia’s number six batter, to five and more recently four; but his position doesn’t yet feel absolutely settled. Failed to fire in his two innings either side of the 74, but so good was his innings in Hobart that he still maintains a score of six.
Where should David bat in T20 World Cup? | 04:02
BEN DWARSHUIS — 5
N/A wickets at N/A, BB 0/27, ER 9.66
Played the final two matches of the series and bowled well enough on a tacky wicket on the Gold Coast, finishing with 0/31 from his four overs. Got whacked in the series finale before rain had the final say, leaking six fours from his 12 balls in total for figures of 0/27. Admittedly should’ve had a wicket in his first over on Sunday night, if not for a howling Glenn Maxwell dropped catch; which ultimately keeps him his pass mark.
NATHAN ELLIS — 9
Nine wickets at 12.77, BB 3/21, ER 8.02
Has now arguably cemented himself as a member of Australia’s best possible XI at international level, alongside quicks Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood given Mitchell Starc’s retirement from the format. Picked up two three-wicket hauls and looked as cagey as ever to face for some of the world’s best batters. Finished by far the series’ leading wicket-taker, with four more than the next cloest player, India’s Varun Chakravarthy.
JOSH HAZLEWOOD — 9
Three wickets at 12.33, BB 3/13, ER 5.28
It was an incredible T20 cameo from ‘The Hoff’ this series, running absolute rings aroudn India’s top order at the MCG in Game 2 with his 3/13 off four overs. He was kept honest in the opening match before rain came down, but all in all, a stellar appearance. Just like with the red-ball or 50-over cricket, Hazlewood could be the key to Australia winning silverware with the next global T20 World Cup.
Hazelwood in ‘best shape of his career’ | 02:46
TRAVIS HEAD — 4
34 runs at 17, HS 28, SR 178.94
Three appearances, two innings and one start for Head before he joined South Australia for his Ashes preparation. He threatened to go real large in Melbourne, before holing out to long-off for 28 off 15 balls. Should partner Mitch Marsh up top for the T20 World Cup.
JOSH INGLIS — 3
33 runs at 11, HS 20, SR 86.84
A very underwhelming series with the bat for Australia’s reserve Test wicketkeeper. Hit a run-a-ball 20 in Melbourne batting at three but never quite got going, before making one off seven balls the game after in Hobart. All attention her him now turns to being the country’s reserve batter in the Ashes.
MATT KUHNEMANN — 6
N/A wickets at N/A, BB 0/14, ER 8.38
Featured in three of Australia’s five matches, and bowled relatively well all things considered without actually taking a wicket. Went at less than eight runs an over in two of his stints, with his 0/22 in Canberra from two overs the only night he got tapped. Looks a very solid second option in the side behind Adam Zampa with his left-arm orthodox.
Head leaves T20I team to play Shield | 00:45
MITCHELL MARSH — 7
87 runs at 43.50, HS 46, SR 135.93
Made two-and-a-half starts from his three innings for the series, with his 46 in Melbourne and 30 at Carrara the highlights. Looked in fine nick during the powerplays, and looks certain to open stick for the Aussies as captain come the T20 World Cup next year. Managed his bowlers well throughout the series, which takes his score up to an eight.
GLENN MAXWELL — 1
Two runs at 2, HS 2, SR 50
Maxwell’s impact with the bat was minimal on the Gold Coast in his return from injury, managing two off four balls before getting bowled by a Varun Chakravarthy wrong’un. A score of one seems incredibly harsh, but even Glenn himself would admit that his dropped catch alone in the series finale warrants a grim score.
MITCH OWEN — 3
14 runs at 7, HS 14, SR 127.27
N/A wickets at N/A, BB 0/13, ER 13
The hard-hitting Tasmanian didn’t have the greatest of series beforehis dropping, with scores of only 14 and 0 to show for it in the middle order. He hung around at the crease for four overs in Melbourne, and struck one maximum for his troubles. Clearly a long-term option in the side, but he may have to wait his turn a little longer after others made more of their opportunity.
Stumps broken! Arsh’s bowling breakdown | 01:38
JOSH PHILIPPE — 3
10 runs at 10, HS 10, SR 100
Not a whole lot of luck for the wicketkeeper-bat this series, with two of the three games he featured in getting washed out. It meant he only batted one; a run-a-ball 10 on the Gold Coast where he departed via a shot straight to catching mid-wicket. At his best can absolutely play a role in Australia’s best XI, but comeptition will continue to be tight going forward.
MATT SHORT — 7
51 runs at 25.50, HS 26*, SR 145.71
N/A wickets at N/A, BB 0/13, ER 13
Could only go up in the series after getting a first-ball duck in Melbourne. Played a strong finishing role in Hobart with his 26* (15) batting at number seven as a finisher, before seeing a promotion to opener the next match. Made a start for his 25, before getting trapped in front LBW. Bowled just the one over for the series, but showed promise once more with the bat at a good pace.
Short eyeing up T20 World Cup spot | 00:54
MARCUS STOINIS — 8
87 runs at 43.50, HS 64, SR 135.93
Three wickets at 32.33, BB 1/22, ER 8.81
One of a handful of Australian players to take part in all five matches. Hit a very good 64 at a hot pace down in Hobart, and chipped in with a wicket on three separate occassions. Has proven he still has a bit to give heading towards the next T20 World Cup next year, which at 36, could be his last major international tournament. All in all, a very good series.
ADAM ZAMPA — 6
Three wickets at 15, BB 3/45, ER 11.25
The leg-spinner featured in the series’ last two matches,but only got to use his skillset once. It was a rollercoaster 3/45 the 33-year-old took on the Gold Coast, but ultimately, three wickets is certainly a pass despite the economy. Always has an answer for opposition batters on the attack.
Discussion about this post