DOHA: Australia’s aura as a white-ball heavyweight has all but evaporated after back-to-back defeats at the T20 World Cup, where the absence of their champion fast bowlers has been ruthlessly exposed.
The reigning champions slumped to a 23-run loss to world number 11 Zimbabwe before crashing to an eight-wicket defeat by co-hosts Sri Lanka in Kandy on Monday, leaving them on the brink of a humiliating exit from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Captain Mitchell Marsh said his side now need 12th-ranked Ireland to beat Zimbabwe later on Tuesday to keep their hopes alive. Even then, Australia would require Sri Lanka — already through to the Super Eight phase — to eliminate Zimbabwe on Thursday ahead of a final group match against Oman.
“There’s still a chance,” Marsh told reporters. “But yeah, what do you say? The luck of the Irish.”Winners of the 2021 T20 World Cup and a record six 50-over World Cups, Australia have long prided themselves on peaking at major tournaments.
This time, however, their swagger has faded without the senior players who have underpinned their success.Left-arm great Mitchell Starc, retired from T20 internationals, while fellow quicks Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are sidelined by injury, making it Australia’s first World Cup in more than a decade without at least one of their pace trio.
The back-up seamers, led by Nathan Ellis, have struggled to impose themselves, while veteran leg-spinner Adam Zampa went wicketless in successive matches as Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka capitalised.
Australia’s batting has also faltered against spin. They lost 10 wickets for 77 runs against Sri Lanka after Marsh and fellow opener Travis Head raced to 104 in 8.3 overs, underlining a campaign that has rapidly unravelled.
