The 2016 ICC World T20 was yet another disappointing edition for the Kangaroos as they put on a lackluster performance. Australia could only defeat the jaded outfits of Pakistan and Bangladesh as they themselves did not look in the best shape. Defeats to New Zealand and India in their opening and closing fixtures respectively meant that Australia didn’t have the needed points in order to proceed to the next round.
A major reason felt for Australia’s dismal outing was the exclusion of off-spinner Nathan Lyon from the squad. Lyon has been one of Australia’s most successful spinners in test cricket but still hasn’t been given enough chances in the shorter formats. Australia desperately missed the services of Lyon on the slow and low pitches of India. Adam Zampa, the leg spinner, lacked a spin bowling partner and Lyon could have fit into that puzzle.
Former wicketkeeper Brad Haddin said that dropping Lyon for the World T20 was a poor move from Australia. “I think Nathan Lyon is the best spinner in Australia by a long way and I think come to the back end of that tournament he would have made a big difference for Australia,” Haddin said on Monday. “He started his career playing Twenty20 cricket for South Australia, he did an exceptional job this year for the Sydney Sixers so yes I do think Nathan Lyon should have been there.”
Haddin also advised the Kangaroos to plan for their next edition of the World T20 well in advance and prepare well. “I think from a Twenty20 point of view, we have as good a group of players in that format as anyone in the world,” he said. “You only have to see how our players perform domestically and in the IPL. “I don’t think we’ve quite got our head around tournament play at the moment for Twenty20. “It’s something we’ve been so good at in the one-day game is making sure we’re peaking at the right time for the big events. “I just think from that point of view we just haven’t quite got it right leading into big tournaments, but we’ve definitely got the talent to do well,” said Haddin.