Sterner tests ahead

The win against England had a lot to do with the latter’s inability to play spin. But it is clear that it won’t be as straight forward against last edition’s finalist. Australia are a more balanced side and can counter the threat of spin much better. Husseys decimation of Saeed Ajmal in the semifinal to pull off a steep chase is a case in point. “I think we can play better than the English,” says Hussey. “I suspect that they will bowl a fair bit of spin to us if not just the frontline spinners,may be the part-timers will also bowl at us,” he adds.

If anything,the Australians won’t be surprised. On Wednesday morning the Australians took to the nets in allocated groups. One such,including David Warner,George Bailey and Hussey,got a prolonged exposure to spin bowling. The Australian spin trio of Brad Hogg,Xavier Doherty and Glenn Maxwell are swept,reverse swept and even switch-hit. Unlike England who played the match with one spinner,Australia will not be scared to throw in more than one option if the wicket offers assistance.

All round strength

If their spin bowling department is reasonably well stocked,Australia’s strengths are their batsmen and quick bowlers. Not to mention Shane Watson,who can do both effectively. With two man-of-the-match awards and a place in the top-five among both the batsmen and the bowlers so far in the tournament,Watson has given Australia a robust start with both bat and ball. His partnership with David Warner at the top of the order is tailor made for T20. “I think those two players are crucial to our chances. If they get to a quick and positive start then we are in a great position,” Hussey says.

And the quicks have been a settled unit. Pat Cummins has the pace,Mitchell Starc the movement and Watson the accuracy. So much so that Ben Hilfenhaus has not got a game. The only worry is that the middle-order haven’t been tested in these conditions so far. The seven-wicket win over Ireland did not involve their contribution and rain-curtailed contest against West Indies meant just the top-order has got game time thus far.

So at practice,in a quick 10-over practice game amongst themselves,the middle-order batters have a go at hitting the white kookaburra. Cameron White,George Bailey,Maxwell,Daniel Christain and Mathew Wade do not represent an intimidating set of players,especially against spin. But they are some of the cleanest strikers of the ball,a big asset in T20s.

Australia is one of the more balanced sides,with fire power coming from both batsmen and bowlers. The win against West Indies showed they could compete with the biggest hitters and the defeat of Ireland showed the pacers,even in alien conditions,can be a handful. But in the shortest format,it is sometimes one man and his impact than that of a teams. If so,Australia will hope they have enough such impact men on their own side.