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A look at the 3 key contenders to join David Warner as opener for Australia in the 2024 T20 World Cup
Australia have a shot at another ICC trophy with the T20 World Cup taking place in the West Indies and United States of America in June. The 2021 champions failed to light up the 2022 edition which they hosted, but they will enter the 2024 edition as one of the favourites with a plethora of batting options right the way down the order.
Their first T20I of the year on February 9 against the West Indies saw the Australians field a batting lineup comprising of Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, and Matthew Wade from the openers down. That looks more set than the opening positions, with questions around who will partner David Warner in the tournament.
In this article, we will look at the three key contenders to the openers’ role as Australia look to force fast starts on the opponents.
3 key contenders to join David Warner as opener for Australia in the 2024 T20 World Cup
1. Travis Head
Travis Head’s 2023 ODI World Cup heroics arguably makes him favourite for the role. Since the start of 2022, Head has smashed 1,124 runs in ODIs at a superb strike rate of 122.57. He has a greater license to go big in T20s, which makes him even more dangerous.
Also, Head’s offspin is an asset the Australians may seek to use throughout the tournament, especially if the surfaces are on the slower side. To cater for that, the team management may see him offer the most value up top with the bat rather than in the middle.
2. Josh Inglis
Inglis’ game has gone from strength-to-strength in recent months. The keeper-batsman has made a rollicking start to 2024, smashing the West Indies bowlers in both white-ball formats. What was most impressive is Inglis’ strokeplay all around the ground in the powerplay. He looks strong off the backfoot on the offside and can target the legside with devastating effect.
Also, Inglis is more than decent against spin. This was on show in last year’s ODI World Cup, where his footwork arguably looked the most assured of any player in the Semi-Final against South Africa. So, if he doesn’t end up opening, Australia may try to find a spot for him in the XI.
3. Matt Short
Short has been the Big Bash League’s top performer over the past few seasons. His ability to bat through the powerplay with impact and then build into an innings has been the hallmark of his success in the competition. Also, he is a more-than-handy offspinner and excellent fielder.
However, what may work against Short is his deficiencies against spin. Slower surfaces may result in Australia going in a different direction, but there is every likelihood Short will be in the squad and can play a role when needed.
Indeed, Australia are blessed with opening options in the T20 format. We haven’t even mentioned the likes of Jake Fraser-McGurk, Steve Smith, and Cameron Green who could all play a strong role in the tournament.
Australia’s campaign will kick off on the 5th of June against Oman, who are with England, Namibia, and Scotland in Group B. The top two teams will advance to the Super Eight stage.
