Australia's vulnerabilities to the fore in scratchy display against inspired Afghanistan
Heading into the 2024 T20 World Cup Super 8 match against Afghanistan at the Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown, St Vincent on Sunday, June 23, Australia were undoubtedly the favorites. They had eased through the group stage, with four wins in four matches in Group B. Courtesy of another clinical effort against Bangladesh, the Aussies kicked off the Super 8 stage with a 28-run [DLS method] victory.
Before the match on Sunday, Australia and Afghanistan had clashed only once in the Men's T20 World Cup - during the 2022 edition. It was a close game in Adelaide, in which the Aussies sneaked home by four runs. They there was the 2023 ODI World Cup match in Mumbai, where Glenn Maxwell scored a stunning double hundred to deny Afghanistan a famous victory.
The much-awaited win for Afghanistan finally came on Sunday and in a rather clinical fashion. Having run the Aussies close in recent World Cup matches, it was only fitting that Afghanistan exposed Australia's vulnerabilities on the big stage.
Batting a big worry for Australia
On paper, Australia seem to possess a strong batting line-up. However, there had been muted concerns over the form of their batters, which had been dwarfed by their victories in the previous games.
If we take a closer look at the performances of Australia's batters in the ongoing T20 World Cup, Travis Head has scored 179 runs in six innings at an average of 35.80 and a strike rate of 151.69, with one half-century. His opening partner David Warner has similar numbers - 172 runs at an average of 34.40 and a strike rate of 140.98, with two half-centuries.
All-rounder Marcus Stoinis has been their most consistent batter this edition, with 167 runs in four innings at an average of 55.66 and a strike rate of 168.68, with two half-centuries. That is where the good part ends though. Skipper Mitchell Marsh has had a horror run with the bat, managing only 88 runs in six innings at an average of 17.60 and a strike rate of 111.39.
Australia's two X factors in the batting department - Maxwell and Tim David - have also been huge disappointments. Maxwell scored a fighting half-century against Afghanistan in a losing cause on Sunday. However, heading into the game, he had registered scores of 0, 28, 11 and 14*. The Aussies were expecting a lot more from him even though he had not been in great touch ahead of the T20 World Cup.
David has also failed to live up to his billing as a finisher in the batting department. In four innings, he has registered scores of 9, 11, 24* and 2. It can be argued that, at times, he has come in with not a lot of deliveries left. Then again, he was picked exactly for that role, keeping his big-hitting prowess in mind. Thus, it would be fair to say that he hasn't delivered to expectations.
A shocker in the field
Speaking specifically about Australia's performance against Afghanistan, they were abysmal in the field, something which is rather unbecoming of the Aussies. While Head and the bowlers are often credited for the team's famous triumph in the 2023 ODI World Cup final against India, their fielding in the match was also exceptional and played a significant role in keeping the pressure on India's batters.
On Sunday, at the Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown, St Vincent, the Aussies dropped as many as five catches. Although their bowlers did well to restrict Afghanistan to 148-6, the missed chances came back to haunt Australia in the wake of an insipid batting show. Speaking after the shocking defeat, skipper Marsh admitted:
"We had an off night on the field."
Their lackluster effort in the field wasn't a one-off though. In the group match against Scotland as well they had dropped three catches after which Marsh admitted that they need to improve their performance in the field. Ironically, it only got worse in the Super 8 match against Afghanistan.
Following their defeat against Afghanistan, Australia's last Super 8 contest against India in St Lucia now becomes a must-win encounter for them. At the post-match press conference, Marsh asserted:
"We need to win and no better team to do it against [than India]."
Without an iota of doubt, the Aussies will come hard at Team India. To be honest, though, the Men in Blue have a great opportunity to get the better of the reigning Test and ODI world champions. Afghanistan proved how vulnerable this Australian outfit can be when put under the pump. India will do well to take a leaf out of Rashid Khan and co.'s book.