Zee Media Bureau/ Suyash SrivastavaNew Delhi: With quality batsmen in their squad, Australia looked a force to reckon with ahead of the ICC World Twenty20. They suffered a major blow when Mitchell Johnson was ruled out of the tournament due to a toe infection.
Johnson had been in sublime form for Australia in the last few Test series, and played a significant role in the series win against England and then South Africa.
But as the tournament progressed, the Aussies would have realised that the tournament wasn`t going to be an easy one for them as they lacked quality spinners. In most of the matches, more than the pacers, the spinners were the ones who decided the result of a match.
Australia have a specialist spinner in Brad Hogg, but the 43-year-old failed to make any impact in the first match where Australia suffered a 16-run defeat against Pakistan. Hogg conceded 29 runs from three overs without getting a wicket, and George Bailey`s move to get some overs of spin bowled by Aaron Finch didn`t work out, as he gave away 18 runs from his only over.
Australia have enough firepower in their batting department, but it would be impossible for them to chase mammoth scores in every match. The Australian think thank might be contemplating to give 20-year-old leg-spinner James Muirhead, a chance to showcase his skills.
First Published: Monday, March 24, 2014, 17:15
