Australia has crashed out of the T20 World Cup after suffering back-to-back defeats against Afghanistan and India during the Super Eights in the Caribbean.
Afghanistan’s dramatic victory over Bangladesh in Kingstown sealed Australia’s fate on Tuesday, preventing the 2021 champions from becoming the first nation to unify the three major ICC trophies.
Rashid Khan’s side, having qualified for the knockouts of an ICC event for the first time, will face South Africa in the semi-finals on Thursday, while reigning champions England will take on India the following morning.
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TRAVIS HEAD — 8
255 runs at 42.50, SR 158.38
HS 76, two fifties
Head was the second-leading run-scorer of the tournament at the completion of the Super Eights, cracking rapid fifties against Scotland and India.
The left-hander also helped Australia get off to a rapid start during the group-stage match against England.
However, Head’s fielding was far from its best in the Caribbean this month, with the South Australian dropping chances and fumbling overthrows.
DAVID WARNER — 7
178 runs at 29.66, SR 139.06
HS 56, two fifties
Warner’s 15-year international career ended with a whimper, failing to survive the first over of Australia’s run chase against India in Gros Islet.
The veteran opener’s gritty fifty rescued Australia during the tournament opener against Oman, while he cracked another half-century against Bangladesh in the Super Eights.
However, Warner denied teammate Pat Cummins a rare double hat-trick during the Super Eight contest against Afghanistan, dropping a regulation chance in the outfield.
MITCHELL MARSH — 3
125 runs at 20.83, SR 116.82
HS 37, no fifties
The Australian captain seemed undercooked throughout the entire tournament, failing to unearth any momentum with the bat in the Caribbean.
Marsh almost redeemed himself in Tuesday’s must-win Super Eight match against India, combining with opener Travis Head for a rapid 81-run partnership before Axar Patel’s ripping catch on the boundary rope.
The West Australian, who didn’t bowl a delivery in the West Indies this month, also dropped at least three catches during the campaign.
GLENN MAXWELL — 5
132 runs at 26.40, SR 141.93
HS 59, one fifty
Three wickets at 34.33, Econ 8.58, BB 2-44
Maxwell’s T20 World Cup campaign started with a golden duck against Oman, but it didn’t take long for the Victorian to start finding his feet.
The 35-year-old threatened to repeat his Mumbai heroics against Afghanistan during the Super Eights, but he couldn’t get the job done.
He bowled superbly against Bangladesh last week, but his off-spin was otherwise expensive throughout the tournament.
MARCUS STOINIS — 9
169 runs at 42.25, SR 164.07
HS 67*, two fifties
Ten wickets at 15.10, Econ 8.88, BB 3-19
Stoinis was undeniably Australia’s player of the tournament.
The West Australian became just the fourth cricketer to take ten wickets and score more than 160 runs in a T20 World Cup campaign, joining white-ball superstars Shane Watson, Shahid Afridi and Sikandar Raza on the illustrious list.
He rescued Australia during the tournament opener against Oman before clobbering another crucial fifty against Scotland, winning player of the match honours on both occasions.
TIM DAVID — 4
61 runs at 15.25, SR 148.78
HS 24*, zero fifties
You’d be forgiven for forgetting David was even in the Caribbean this month.
Apart from a brief cameo against Scotland, the West Australian rarely got an opportunity to bat during the group stage.
The Australians desperately needed him to step up during this week’s Super Eight game against Afghanistan, but he was trapped on the pads for 2.
MATTHEW WADE — 3
27 runs at 13.50, SR 112.50
HS 17*, zero fifties
Three catches, zero stumpings
Wade has been superb in the national T20 side over the past three years, but the wicketkeeper failed to make any worthwhile contributions in the Caribbean this month.
Apart from a missed stumping in Kingstown over the weekend, the Tasmanian was tidy with the gloves, but he flopped with the bat during run chases against Afghanistan and India in the Super Eights.
He was also sanction by the ICC for his verbal altercation with umpire Nitin Menon during the group-stage match against England.
PAT CUMMINS — 8
Nine wickets at 16.00, Econ 7.57
BB 3-28
Cummins wasn’t necessarily regarded as a superb death bowler before this year’s T20 World Cup, but he proved his worth during the Super Eights.
The New South Welshman claimed hat-tricks against Bangladesh and Afghanistan, becoming just the second cricketer to achieve the feat in consecutive international matches.
Despite bowling mostly during the Powerplay and at the death, he maintained a respectable economy rate throughout the tournament.
MITCHELL STARC — 5
Five wickets at 30.80, Econ 8.55
BB 2-20
Starc was controversially dropped for Australia’s must-win match against Afghanistan, and the left-armed quick’s absence was sorely felt as Rashid Khan’s men caused a massive boilover in Kingstown.
The New South Welshman was, as usual, damaging during the Powerplay while leaking plenty of runs, most notably conceding 29 runs off one over during Tuesday’s loss to India.
During the tournament, he became the leading wicket-taker in World Cup history, surpassing Lasith Malinga’s tally of 94 scalps.
ASHTON AGAR — 4
One wicket at 56.00, Econ 7.00
BB 1-39
Agar made two appearances during this year’s T20 World Cup, with his lone victim being Scotland opener Michael Jones.
The left-armed tweaker’s arm ball proved an effective weapon during the Powerplay, while he conceded just 17 runs from four overs during Australia’s Super Eight loss to Afghanistan.
However, Agar’s fielding at Arnos Vale Ground over the weekend was nothing short of woeful.
NATHAN ELLIS — 7
Four wickets at 18.50, Econ 6.72
BB 2-28
Ellis appeared in three group-stage matches as Australia rotated through its fast bowlers, but the Tasmanian seamer arguably should have played more.
The crafty right-armer only faced associate nations Oman, Namibia and Scotland, but once again held his own on the international stage.
He may became a regular member of Australia’s T20 starting XI after this tournament.
ADAM ZAMPA — 9
13 wickets at 14.38, Econ 6.67
BB 4-12
What is it about Zampa and T20 World Cups?
The leg-spinner was Australia’s leading wicket-taker of the tournament, earning player of the match honours following classy performances against England and Namibia.
Only one Australian has taken more wickets during a T20 World Cup campaign – Dirk Nannes in 2010.
Zampa is also on the verge of surpassing Shane Warne’s tally for wickets in white-ball internationals.
JOSH HAZLEWOOD — 6
Four wickets at 36.25, Econ 6.04
BB 2-18
The Bendemeer Bullet rarely created breakthroughs with the ball throughout the T20 World Cup, only taking multiple wickets during Australia’s thrashing of Namibia.
However, Hazlewood’s relentless line and length ensured he finished the tournament with Australia’s lowest economy rate, while his spell against India on Tuesday was nothing short of exceptional.
Sadly, his most memorable contribution in the Caribbean was pontificating about Australia’s net run rate dilemma during the group stage, which caught the attention of English media.
