Former Australian fast bowler Stuart Clark has flagged a huge overhaul of the Australian T20 side, following the team’s failure to make the knockout stages of the World Cup.
England’s win over Sri Lanka condemned Australia to third place in its group, with only the top two sides advancing to the semi finals.
It was a disappointing campaign for the home side, who was thrashed by New Zealand, and then allowed both Ireland and Afghanistan to get closer than they should have, destroying any hopes of Australia improving its all-important net run rate.
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Ireland recovered from 5-25 to make 137, while from 6-103, Afganistan made 7-164, nearly pulling off an unlikely victory.
Mitchell Starc was dropped for the final match, while Pat Cummins was similarly disappointing.
Of the batters, David Warner made just 44 runs at a strike rate of 107.
“They will have a debrief and a bit of soul searching,” Clark told the BBC.
“There’s some guys who have been around for a while, and we have to start looking to some younger guys.
“I think this especially applies to the bowlers who play all three formats. The questions are going to be asked about what our team will look like for the next T20 World Cup, and I think half these guys won’t be there.”
Australia isn’t scheduled to play another T20 match until August, leaving selectors plenty of time to consider the make-up of the side that will contest the 2024 World Cup in the West Indies and United States.
Australia only has one batter ranked in the top 30 in the world in the shortest form of the game, and that’s Aaron Finch, who has likely played his last game for his country.
Finch, who turns 36 this month, has had statistically the worst year of his T20 International career.
His average and strike rate has declined each year since 2018.
Speaking after Australia’s World Cup elimination, the opener said he wouldn’t be rushed into a decision on his future.
“No, I’m not going to retire. Not just yet,” Finch said.
”I’ll play Big Bash and see where we sit after that, but I’m still enjoying playing cricket, playing T20.
“There’s not another international T20 until August, so there’s quite a long break. Still plenty of time to be able to weigh all that up.”
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