3 minute read
Australia were left wondering what might have been after seeing their T20 World Cup campaign come to an end in disappointing circumstances.
Mitch Marsh's men were looking strong after winning five games on the bounce, but it all turned very sour, very quickly.
A shock defeat against Afghanistan, followed by another loss to India, meant progress to the semi-finals was out of their hands.
Afghanistan beat Bangladesh to take the semi-final spot, leaving Australia to reflect on another opportunity missed in the shortest format of the game.
They missed out on home soil in 2022, and after more disappointment in 2024, there is some work to be done if they are to be crowned T20 World Champions in 2026.
But what else did we learn from Australia's T20 campaign?
Poor fielding cost Australia
Australia's fielding left a lot to be desired at times, especially in the shock defeat against Afghanistan.
Five catches were put down and there was also a missed stumping, which in the end proved to be crucial.
Marsh also dropped a crucial clash in the defeat to India.
T20 cricket is often decided by fine margins and it is fair to say that Australia paid the price for some sloppy fielding.
Time for change
With a number of the Australian side hitting their mid thirties, it could be time for some of them to step aside and let the young guns come through.
David Warner has already retired and it will be interesting to see who else steps away from the T20 format.
The next T20 World Cup will be in 2026 and there is a question mark over whether the likes of Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Mathew Wade will be there.
Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and even captain Marsh, who will be 34 in two years, may have stepped away by then.
No shortage of talent
Even if the big names do retire from T20 cricket, Australia look to be in good hands heading into the future.
Nathan Ellis showed in his cameo appearances that he has what it takes to lead the bowling attack into a new era.
Jake Fraser-McGurk has already been earmarked as the man to replace David Warner at the top of the batting order.
Cameron Green, Matthew Short, Spencer Johnson, Josh Inglis and Tanveer Sangha are all players that could feature heavily moving forward.
No need to panic
Australia's T20 World Cup campaign ended in disappointment, and questions will be raised over the way they bowed out.
However no-one at Cricket Australia will be reaching for the panic button. You need a bit of luck in tournament cricket and the Aussies will feel one or two things did not go their way.
But the future still looks a bright one and all eyes will now be on what kind of T20 squad is selected for the tour to England later this year.
