Australian captain Mitch Marsh hinted Steve Smith is “likely” to play in the second T20 in New Zealand on Friday after lauding Tim David as the sort of matchwinner few teams possess following his Wellington heroics.
The T20 skipper also conceded that becoming the first international team to allow 200 runs for a four games in a row wasn’t ideal, but could become the new norm in the shortest form of the game.
Australian selectors filled their batting order with power-hitters from openers David Warner and Travis Head through to Matt Short at number seven, leaving no spot for Smith.
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It’s been a productive plan when it comes to batting, winning three of those four games where the opposition has scored 200 or more, including Wednesday’s final ball thriller in Wellington as they chased down 215.
Marsh said the capacity of David, who made 72 unbeaten runs in two innings against the West Indies before swatting 31 off 10 balls to secure victory over the Black Caps, made him the perfect man for the finishing role his team could need at the upcoming T20 World Cup.
“(It takes) complete trust in your game and a real confidence to go out there and do that” he said.
“From the moment he came out he was really calm, he knew what we wanted to do and think he’s just learning and learning over the last two years.
“You’ve seen him dominate T20 comps around the world and come onto the international stage and feel at home playing for Australia.
“It’s special to watch and (I’m) very proud of him.
“Any time you chase down 216 is a great effort, and we just got over the line by the sheer brilliance of Tim David. ”
Despite all six of the Australian batters who hit a hit in Wellington striking at better than a run a ball, and each of them swatting at least one of their team’s 17 sixes, Marsh, who made an unbeaten 72, said changes could be made for Friday’s second game, opening the door for Smith.
“I’d say he’s likely to come in,” Marsh said.
“Heady (Travis Head) and Davey (Warner, his opening partner) were our first choice for this match, but there’s no doubt Steve will come into calculations for the next game.
“I understand that it always raises eyebrows when Steve Smith gets left out of a team but we’re certainly building towards the World Cup and we’ll give lots of guys different opportunities over the next few games.”
Marsh was one of the few Australian bowlers not to be taken down by the Kiwi batters, with spinner Adam Zampa going for 42 runs from just three overs.
It came after the Windies pounded 629 runs in the three games of their series, which the Australians won 2-1.
Marsh suggested big scoring could be something the Aussies have to get used to chasing, or defending, heading to the World Cup in the Caribbean and USA.
“We don’t want to be chasing 216 too often but I think on these grounds over here – great wickets, small grounds – we sort of have to get used to defending or chasing 200,” Marsh said.
“I thought the way we closed out (NZ’s innings) was actually really good. It could have been 230 easily towards the back end.”
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