A 16-run loss to Pakistan in Australia’s World T20 opener could result in significant changes to Darren Lehmann’s side as pivotal clashes against the West Indies, India and Bangladesh loom.
The gravity of Australia’s upcoming clash against the West Indies, defeated by seven wickets against India, mean spots are on the line with the loser of Friday’s match likely eliminated from the World T20.
Under fire are the well-worn faces of Brad Hogg and Brad Hodge, both coming off underwhelming performances last Sunday.
The 43-year-old Hogg bowled three wicket-less overs against Pakistan for a total of 29, also dropping the wicket of star Umar Akmalwhile the 39-year-old Hodge managed a total of two with the bat.
In the line for a call-up is the much younger James Faulkner, returning from knee surgery.
The poor bowling attack could see Faulkner or 20-year-old leg spinner James Muirhead inserted into a team that gave up a ridiculous Akmal innings of 94 runs off 54 deliveries.
Muir has earned the praise of Victorian teammate Glenn Maxwell, who recently described youngster-in-waiting as confident with the ability to spin the ball for “miles”.
The heroics of Maxwell (74) and Aaron Finch (65) weren’t enough to save an Aussie batting collapse against Pakistan, dropping to 58-8 during the second half of the Australian innings after losing the wickets of David Warner and Shane Watson in the opening over.
“We have just got to be flawless from now on,” Maxwell said after the disappointing opener.
“We have got to hit the training track a bit harder and certainly work on our fielding.”
“It was shoddy for the standard that we set ourselves,” wicket keeper George Bailey said of the Australian effort in the field.
“It was something that we spoke about that we thought in this tournament could be a point of difference. It’s something that we’ve done very well in our last few games, and it wasn’t to the standard that we’ve set ourselves tonight.’’
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