Australian captain Aaron Finch warned ahead of the team’s game against Ireland that they must first earn the right to “go after a pace-enhancing performance”.
Having squandered the chance to do so late in the win against Ireland, Australia now simply have no choice but to win and win big against Afghanistan on Friday night.
That’s certainly the advice of former Australian cricket coach Justin Langer, who drew on past experience to urge Finch’s team to “feel fear” in their batting approach.
It’s T20 World Cup time and you can watch all the matches live and ad-free on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
MATCH CENTER: Australia vs Afghanistan, full score, stats
Finch only a ’70 percent chance’ | 00:50
Write a column for Western AustraliaLanger spoke about last year’s successful Twenty20 World Cup campaign in the UAE and two key moments that are “significant reminders” ahead of tonight’s game.
“The first one felt like a punch in the nose,” he wrote.
“But like a good strike to the left, it acted as a wake-up call and was the catalyst for what was to come. The second was an opportunity. An opportunity presented itself, which we took with gusto to rekindle our campaign”.
Langer described England’s dominant win over Australia as a “lightbulb moment” that put them on course to become T20 champions.
It could be the same for Australia this time, even if the task is more difficult, but only if they change their mindset.
“The second match against England was an annihilation for us,” he wrote.
“Bet for 125, England crushed us in all parts of the Dubai International Stadium. Batted so badly, our net run rate was destroyed. Everything had to go well for us to sort this out on our own.
“A lightbulb moment came right after that loss. We sat in the locker room and agreed, without hesitation, that we had to change our mindset if we were even going to compete with the best teams.
“England were completely ruthless. Fearless in their approach.”
Justin Langer had some key tips. (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Langer therefore wrote that the team accepted that they needed to be equally fearless, that England had provided a sort of “blueprint” for how to play T20 cricket.
Australia have spoken this week of not “trying too hard” in Friday’s game and Langer is wary of that risk.
“As Australia has done in the last week, we committed then not to talk about the net run rate,” he wrote.
But Australia ended up bowling out Bangladesh for 73 in the match after that heavy loss to England and suddenly had a chance to keep their T20 World Cup dream alive.
“Experience has told us that the distractions of run speed can take the focus off the No. 1 priority, winning the game,” Langer wrote.
“In theory that’s right, but often the rulebook gets sidetracked when the fight starts.
Australia are at their best when they are selfless and fearless with the bat. Not only is that the formula for all great players and teams, it’s certainly the focus of this Australian combination.”
Aussies WC expect to hang on by a thread? | 01:50
Matthew Wade said similar ABC Radio at the time, describing the defeat to England as a “turning point”.
“They destroyed us in the World Cup,” Wade said.
“It was probably a turning point for the way we played in T20s. We had to start going a bit stronger, especially at the top and then bring it back with seven batsmen. We followed that formula after we destroy in the World Cup”.
Langer also advised Australia to go after Afghanistan’s batsmen, who he said struggle against the bowlers.
“Australia have an opportunity to capitalize on that weakness tonight,” he wrote.
“They also have a chance to do something special with the bat. New Zealand showed them like in the first game. Now is the time to seize the opportunity and advance to the semi-finals.”
Australia may have to do without Finch, however, after the captain said on Thursday he could pull out of his team’s match against Afghanistan with a hamstring injury.
Finch hit form on Monday with a 44-ball 63 in the win against Ireland, but was unable to play after feeling a “pinch” during Ireland’s innings.
Both opener Finch and middle-order batsman Tim David, who also has a hamstring problem, are struggling for fitness.
Aaron Finch could miss Friday’s game. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“I’ll be testing properly this afternoon to make sure I don’t hinder the side leading into the game at all,” Finch said.
“Because that’s the worst possible scenario you leave the short guys with one less player.” David injured his hamstring while batting and did not take the field in Ireland’s chase.
“He’s in the exact same boat. We’ll find out more during training,” Finch said. Wicketkeeper Wade will lead Australia if Finch has to sit out.
New Zealand take on Sri Lanka in the first match of a double-header in Adelaide on Friday, while England take on Sri Lanka in Sydney on Saturday in the final Group 1 match.
Afghanistan, who are out of the quarter-final race after two of their matches were swept, have injury concerns for skipper Rashid Khan.
Rashid struggled with a back and knee problem in the loss to Sri Lanka, but assistant coach Rais Ahmadzai said on Thursday he was “fine and training” and the team wanted to finish the tournament in style.
“It’s not really an easy game for us, playing against Australia in Australian conditions, but we’re here to give them a tough time,” Ahmadzai said.
“I think Australia will be under pressure because they want to win, and we’re here to finish the tournament with morale high.”
Follow all the action on our live blog below! Can’t you see it? Click here!