Australia has gone down 2-1 in its three-match T20 series against India after a final-over thriller in Hyderabad on Monday morning (AEST).
Nonetheless, the series has provided some important takeaway sfor Australia heading into the World Cup, with Tim David proving his value, and Cameron Green emerging as an obvious first reserve.
There are some concerns too, however, with Glenn Maxwell enduring a nightmare series, while there will still be discussion around Steve Smith’s spot in the side.
Here’s how every Australian rated in the three-match series against India.
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AARON FINCH — 6
60 runs at 20.00, SR 176.47, HS 31
A return to form of sorts for Finch. By no means did the Australian put up big numbers, but scores of 22 and 31 in the first two matches will allay some fears heading into the World Cup.
CAMERON GREEN — 9
118 runs at 39.33, SR 214.54, HS 61
One wicket at 60.00, economy 10.00, BBI 1-46
An outstanding series from the young all-rounder, opening the batting for the first time in his international career. The position fit him like a glove with two blistering half centuries in three innings. He was expensive with the ball in game one, but turned it around for game three when he was hit for just 4.66 runs an over. No other Australian was hit for less than eight an over in the match. Australia’s player of the series — and it’s not too late for him to be added to the World Cup squad.
STEVE SMITH — 4
52 runs at 17.33, SR 133.33, HS 35
Not much joy for the right-hander who started the series well with 35 runs off 24 balls. He was down the order in game two and was runout after just five balls, while he missed out in the final match with just nie runs off 10 balls. There will no doubt be considerations about how Tim David could fit into Australia’s XI, and Smith might not be safe.
TIM DAVID — 7
74 runs at 24.66, SR 168.18, HS 54
He left it late, but David showed in the last T20 why he had generated so much hype despite having never played for Australia before the series. After a slow start with scores of 18 and 2, David ignited in the decider with 54 runs off just 27 balls. He came to the crease with Australia stuttering at 5-115 after 13.1 overs and took the visitors to a total that so nearly won it all. He’s certainly a strong contender to retain his spot come the T20 World Cup.
GLENN MAXWELL — 1
7 runs at 2.33, SR 46.66, HS 6
No wickets, economy 10.50
Not much you can say here, really. Copped an unlucky runout in the final match just to add the salt into the wounds. He faced just 15 balls across three matches which says it all. A series to forget. Only bowled the two overs.
MATTHEW WADE — 8.5
89 runs at 89.00, SR 202.27, HS 45*
To think Australia looked for so long for a finisher. Wade’s value in the middle-lower order is immense, as he showed once more in the first two matches. He made 45 off 21 in the first T20, followed by 43 off 20 in the second. Missed out in the final match to end on a low note, but a strong performance from the veteran nonetheless.
PAT CUMMINS — 3
Two wickets at 55.00, economy 11.00, BBI 1-23
The series was a tough grind for the bowlers, and that was no exception for Cummins. He was hit for 11 runs an over — but he had plenty of company.
ADAM ZAMPA — 4.5
Three wickets at 32.00, economy 9.60, BBI 3-16
Was brilliant in the second match trying to defend Australia’s 90 runs from eight overs. He had the visitors dreaming with his 3-16 which included the wicket of Virat Kohli… again. Nonetheless, he went wicketless in the other two matches and was particularly expensive in the last, going for 0-44.
JOSH HAZLEWOOD — 4
Three wickets at 33.00, economy 11.00, BBI 2-39
We’ve come to expect far better T20 numbers from Hazlewood, but this was a series geared towards the batters. Nonetheless, going for 20 runs off one over in the second T20 was awfully costly for Australia. He was expensive again in the final match, going for 1-40.
JOSH INGLIS — 4
41 runs at 20.50, SR 128.12, HS 24
Played two matches in the series and while he didn’t make the most of his chances, he didn’t do his credentials much harm either. Provided some important quick runs in the first T20 with his 17 off 10 balls, but didn’t kick on in his final appearance with 24 runs off 22.
DANIEL SAMS — 4
Two wickets at 26.50, economy 10.25, BBI 2-33
Bowled just 5.1 overs across the series. He was blasted in the second T20 but was among Australia’s better bowlers in the finale, taking two wickets while being hit for 8.60 runs an over. Almost pulled off a miracle escape for Australia, too, while trying to defend 11 runs in the final over. Deserves some credit for his unbeaten 28 off 20 balls in the same match.
NATHAN ELLIS — N/A
Three wickets at 10.00, economy 7.50, BBI 3-30
Ellis played just the one match but delivered arguably the best bowling performance of the series, taking 3-30 in the first match, which Australia won. From his four T20Is, Ellis now has 12 wickets at just 9.00.
SEAN ABBOTT — N/A
No wickets, economy 11.00
Was called on for just the one match, bowling just one over and not batting. Feels harsh to give him a rating, so we won’t.
