Australia’s desperate defence of their Twenty20 World Cup title will not extend to taking a raging bull approach against Ireland at the Gabba on Monday night.
Despite a dreadful run rate after an opening night flogging against New Zealand, captain Aaron Finch insists the focus will be on winning first with run rate only to become a thought if they build a suitable launching pad in their remaining matches against Ireland and Afghanistan.
Aaron Finch wants Australia to avoid extravagant batting in pursuit of an improved run rate.Credit:Getty
“You have to earn the right to go after a run-rate performance,” a wary Finch said, without needing to highlight Ireland’s recent giant-killing performance against England, which leaves them teetering on the brink of missing the finals.
“We’ve seen how damaging Ireland can be if you give them a sniff in a game, so you’d never go into a game thinking about things like that [run rate].
“I think that will naturally unfold if the opportunity presents but, first and foremost, you have to do the basics well and make sure you get your team into a position where you can push forward.
“The last thing you want to do is push too hard, leave yourself a lot to do, then end up in a bit of a stick or twist.”
What Australia need to do to reach World Cup semis
If England beat New Zealand
Win their final two matches against Ireland and Afghanistan by enormous margins to try to make up what is almost a two-run net run-rate gap with England: if both teams are level on points, the higher run rate will progress.
If New Zealand beat England
Win their final two matches against Ireland and Afghanistan and Australia will qualify irrespective of run rate, because the hosts will have accumulated seven competition points to England’s five.
“All we’ve got to do is try and focus on winning two games and hopefully some things fall our way.”
That focus was evident on uneven net wickets in Brisbane on Sunday, when Australia had an unusually long session, with Steve Smith overcoming a hit on the hand and Dave Warner batting for almost two hours.
Despite Australia’s predicament, team changes are unlikely unless the weather intervenes.
Above all, Australia need undefeated New Zealand to beat England in Brisbane on Tuesday night, clearing a path for the semi-finals.
Irish supporters enjoy the MCG during Ireland’s upset win over England last Wednesday.Credit:Getty Images
This means that for the Australians, and the many thousands who follow the national cricket team around the country, the most important sporting event on Tuesday won’t be the Melbourne Cup.
And the omens are good for Kiwi success on Cup day. Since its inception in 1861, 43 New Zealand-bred horses have won the Melbourne Cup, including 33 of the past 55 winners.
Perhaps it’s just as well for the Australians they’re not playing on Cup day, with Irish horse Deauville Legend a strong favourite at Flemington.
It’s remarkable that Australia are still in such strong contention for the semi-finals having won just one of their first three games, such has been the impact of rain on the tournament.
With all six teams in Australia’s group having played three matches, New Zealand have five points from two wins and a washout, while England, Ireland and Australia are all on three points from a win, a loss and a washout.
Undefeated New Zealand are expected to make the semi-finals.Credit:Getty
However, Australia have the worst run rate in their group by a significant margin, so if England get over New Zealand and win their last group match, against Sri Lanka in Sydney next Saturday, then barring some mathematical miracle, New Zealand and England will go through to the semi-finals.
The weather may continue to play a heavy hand in teams’ fortunes, with the weather forecast for Brisbane looking grim for Tuesday in particular.
The last time Australia defended a World Cup title on home soil, rain denied them a finals berth.
Likely Australian team: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tim David, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
Watch the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now
