Ahead of the T20I series between New Zealand and Australia, The Cricketer considers who would make a combined XI between the two sides, with the visitors missing a host of big guns
Australia’s white-ball captain had a quiet Big Bash as Melbourne Renegades struggled but there is no doubting his pedigree, even if he subsequently missed out on an Indian Premier League deal after being released by Royal Challengers Bangalore.
“In no sport on the planet can you captain Australia and miss out on a tournament with a truckload of teams,” said former captain Michael Clarke. “Don’t tell me Aaron Finch is not good enough to be a part of one of those IPL teams.”
In his last seven T20 innings – three for New Zealand against Pakistan and four for Auckland in the Super Smash – Guptill has mustered just 92 runs. At his best, however, Australia know well how destructive he can be.
When the sides met at Eden Park in 2018, Guptill smashed 105 off just 54 balls, albeit in a losing cause. Like Finch, he will feel as though he has a point to prove, having gone unsold in Thursday’s auction. He must first pass a fitness test, however, with Finn Allen on standby to replace him.
A fabulous multiformat cricketer, Williamson might just be playing as well now as ever before. His last nine innings read as follows: 79* (T20), 34* (T20), 238 (Test), 129 (Test), 1 (T20), 57* (T20), 251 (Test), 67 (T20), 50* (T20) – all at an average of 181.2.
Aaron Finch had a poor Big Bash by his standards
He ultimately went unpicked in the IPL auction, but the fact that several onlookers felt he had an outside opportunity highlights the rising stock of the South Africa-born batsman who has made such an impact in New Zealand cricket.
“To have had the opportunity to have played in a few winning T20 series is awesome,” he told The Cricketer last month. And given his recent form, his run in the side is showing no signs of coming to an end. His last four T20 innings for Wellington have brought scores of 50, 69*, 91* and 93*. A man in fine touch.
Any fears that a poor IPL in 2020 might have counted against the hugely talented allrounder were quickly extinguished when his name was read out in the competition’s Chennai auction house. A major bidding war ensued, featuring Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore, who ultimately outlasted their rivals at a cost of £1.4m.
Maxwell’s Big Bash form was mixed, though he was unable to drag his Melbourne Stars side into the latter stages. On his day, though, there are few better in the modern game: he is ranked fourth in the T20 Player Index.
Perhaps unfortunate to have been dropped from Australia’s Test party for their tour of South Africa, Wade was something of a surprise face when this makeshift squad was named.
And so, there is some irony in how things have turned out: with the Test series cancelled and Australia opting not to reshuffle their T20I squad to include their big-hitters, the wicketkeeper will be key. He made two half centuries in three T20Is against India before Christmas.
Kyle Jamieson has burst onto the international scene
A high-class T20 cricketer who wasn’t always at his best during the Big Bash, Stoinis is yet to show off his full range of skills for Australia in the shortest format.
A high score in 23 games of just 35 and only nine wickets in that time suggest that he has not quite been afforded an extended opportunity in his most dangerous position. He has batted in the top three, where he has been so dangerous for Melbourne Stars, on just three occasions.
The man with the Midas touch has enjoyed a staggering start to his international career. His Test record has been well documented: a batting average of 56.5 and 36 wickets in six games at 13.27 apiece. His T20I record is rather quieter, with just three scalps thus far in a four-game career.
Not that it stopped Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings from bidding furiously for his signature. In the end, it was RCB – with former New Zealand coach Mike Hesson at the helm – who emerged with the 6ft 8in fast bowler in their hands, with the 26-year-old collecting £1.4m in the process.
Like Jamieson, Jhye Richardson was another big winner on auction day. The leading wicket-taker in the recently concluded Big Bash also fetched £1.4m from Punjab Kings, where he will join up with fellow Australian fast bowler Riley Meredith, who was snapped up for £714,000.
With Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc all absent from this squad, Richardson has an opportunity to make his mark as a key member of his country’s attack.
Adam Zampa is one of the world's best white-ball spinners
An IPL winner last year, Boult needs no introduction. In the absence of Lasith Malinga, he was given a key role by Mumbai Indians and repaid their faith.
In all he played 15 matches and took 25 wickets – only Jasprit Bumrah bowled more overs and claimed more victims. No one in the tournament bowled more maidens than the New Zealand left-armer.
It feels as though the Australian leg-spinner is now receiving the credit his skillset deserves. At times during the Big Bash, he was unplayable.
Maxwell would often entrust him with the toughest overs, and Zampa would rarely let him down. He took 19 wickets in just 12 matches with the best economy rate of the 10 leading wicket-takers.
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